The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and the Evangelical News Agency IDEA have named Pakistani Christian Imran Rehman their “Prisoner of the Month” for April 2026. They are calling for advocacy on his behalf.

Rehman was arrested on September 14, 2022. The ticket seller received a call from his bank requesting his urgent personal appearance. Upon arrival, he was detained by officers of the Pakistani Federal Investigation Service on charges of computer crime and blasphemy. He allegedly used the WhatsApp messaging app to denigrate Islam. The Catholic man denies the accusation.

It is not publicly known what content the 35-year-old father allegedly sent via WhatsApp. By disseminating this content, he is said to have violated four of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, including Article 295-C of the Pakistani Penal Code, which prescribes the death penalty for insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Furthermore, his alleged messages are even being classified as terrorist acts.

Unjustified blasphemy accusations are a recurring problem in Pakistan. The ISHR and IDEA are calling for letters to be sent to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, urging him to do everything in his power to secure the release of the Christian man and to ensure his safety and that of his family.

Sample letter

Mr. President Asif Ali Zardari
c/o Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Schaperstraße 29
10719 Berlin

Your Excellency,

I am contacting you today regarding Imran Rehman, a Pakistani Christian. The 35-year-old father of two daughters was arrested on September 14, 2022, while visiting his bank. Authorities accuse him of computer crimes and blasphemy. He is alleged to have insulted the Islamic religion via the WhatsApp messaging application. Rehman denies the accusation.

He is alleged to have violated several blasphemy laws by disseminating the content. Observers are surprised that his alleged messages are even being classified as terrorist acts.

There is good reason to believe that this accusation is only superficially about enforcing respect for Islam. Rather, it seems that this case, too, is intended to make an example of someone. Therefore, I urge you to do everything in your power to secure the release of the detainee and to ensure his safety and that of his family.

Respectfully