A Pakistani Catholic family have been forced to flee their home after being accused of blasphemy.

The allegations were first made against a woman, known only as Salma, claiming that she had referred to an anti-Muslim video on Facebook.

Salma told ucanews she got into trouble because she spoke to a Muslim neighbour whom she owed 12,000 to about the controversial clip.

Subsequently her husband was summoned by by community elders and told to accept Islam or leave. When he refused, he was beaten before fleeing the capital to Punjab, where they are living in hiding.

Bishop Joseph Arshad, head of the Faisalabad Diocese in Punjab province, says Salma’s case only highlights the predicament of local Christians.