Pakistan sentences man to life imprisonment for blasphemy

A Pakistani court here today sentenced a man to life imprisonment for alleged blasphemy.
Additional Sessions Judge Lahore Rafaqat Ali Qamar gave the verdict against Ishtiaq Ahmed after the prosecution presented evidence against him.
A case was registered against Ishtiaq, a trader by profession, in Lahore's Qila Gujjar Singh police station in August 2013.
Ishtiaq's counsel argued that his client was innocent and had a business rivalry.
"Some shopkeepers in Qila Gujjar Singh falsely blamed him for desecration of the Quran and beat him severely before handing him over to police," Wasim Abid, his lawyer said.
He said his client could not think of desecration of the holy book, adding that he would file an appeal in the high court against the verdict.

Blasphemy cases in Pakistan are not uncommon and have been on rise, especially against minorities.
A Muslim mob burnt to death a Christian couple for alleged blasphemy at Kot Radha Kishan, some 50 kilometres from Lahore, last year.