Rimsha Masih, the Christian girl who was arrested for an alleged blasphemous act three weeks ago, was granted bail in a landmark decision for a case that has sparked an international outcry. One of her lawyers said it was the first time anyone has been released on bail for blasphemy in Pakistan.
The case of Rimsha, who was accused of setting fire to papers inscribed with verses from the Holy Quran, incited particular condemnation because she is underage, illiterate and said to suffer from learning difficulties.
Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Azam Khan announced her bail for Rs1 million in a packed, sweltering courtroom after hours of chaotic proceedings, but Rimsha is likely to spend another night in custody because there was not enough time to post the bail bonds.
During proceedings, Rimsha’s counsel, Raja Akram Ameen, requested the court to grant bail to his client saying that nothing had been proven against her so far.
He pointed out that since the cleric who accused Rimsha of blasphemy was arrested for the same charges, it was likely that the evidence against his client was fabricated to force the Christian community out of the area.
Investigation Officer Munir Jaffery backed Ameen’s claim, informing the court that the cleric, Hafiz Mohammed Khalid Chishti, had allegedly tampered with the evidence by deliberately planting burnt pages of the Holy Quran in a plastic bag that Rimsha was carrying. He added that Chishti was sent on judicial remand and would be produced before the court on September14.
The prosecutor, Advocate Rao Abdur Rahim, claimed that the investigation officer and doctors were “manipulating” the evidence, under pressure. He also claimed that Rimsha had confessed to committing blasphemy, and added that there was no reason to grant her bail.
“Today’s order of the court has brought a good name for the country because Rimsha is a daughter of Pakistan,” Riaz Anjum, one of the lawyers defending the Christian girl, told The Express Tribune.
“It is not only a victory for Pakistan but for all our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world who raised their voice for Rimsha. The entire Christian community is grateful to them,” he added.
An official medical report has classified Rimsha as “uneducated” and aged 14, but with a mental age younger than her years. Others have said she is as young as 11 and suffers from Down’s Syndrome. She has been held in jail since her arrest in Mehrabadi, a poor Islamabad suburb, on August 16.
According another lawyer, Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, Rimsha would be released on Saturday (today) at the earliest and that a date for the next hearing would be fixed in three or four months’ time.
“It is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan for anyone accused of blasphemy to be granted bail,” Chaudhry told AFP.
“She will be kept in a safe and protected place with her family,” he said.
Minister for National Harmony Paul Bhatti welcomed the verdict.
“We are in touch with the interior ministry and police, and they have assured us that wherever she stays full security would be provided to her,” he told a news conference. “Her mother is very happy that justice had been done,” he added.
Supporters and human rights activists have demanded that the case be closed, particularly after Chishti was arrested. (With additional reporting by Qaiser Zulfikar and AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (28)
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@lovePak:
The christian girl got more attention by Pakistani Media because she was Pakistani , not some other country girl . How can you compare a pakistani person to some other country citizen as far as highlighting is concerned . For correction of record . SHanti Nagur , Gojra , and many other incidents are part of our history so you cant deny that massive attacks on christians dont happen in Pakistan . And why you are thinking America represents Christian or any religion . Thats the major misconception people have in Pakistan . ANd how the Rimsha is related to America ? I am surprised why you confuse issues .
Or about the current use of DU ammunition in Afghanistan by the US. Under your noses, your own government is basically using nuclear weaponry, don't you feel for your brothers there? Hell, even the Taliban can treat women better than America. And according to you people, it's Pakistan who's a nuclear hazard. Let's start by at least stopping the guys currently using it, the same guys who used biological warfare in Korea, Vietnam etc. And of course, the famous 'acts of war': Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The US government uses the most sick tactics to do what they want, it is they and not Pakistan who are the current hazard in this world. Hope you're enlightened!
I live in Islamabad, Pakistan firstly and I actually happen to be a Shia. No one has ever called me a kafir for it. Could you specify where churches are burnt in Pakistan or where their colonies are attacked? I am not saying that Pakistan is extremely fair to non-Muslims. The news is the problem. They tell just a bit of the truth to make you believe and the rest are lies that they want you to believe. Your beloved FOX News even called Pakistan 'P...istan' based on false info from Google Insights. Aafia Siddique was still an American citizen. And if she wasn't white or wasn't born in America, it further proves the point that the American justice system is racist. It is the duty of Pakistan to protect it's citizens. But in this case, they have so it shouldn't be bashed for it. Contrast Anders Breivik and Aafia Siddique and you'll get the biased attitude of the West. Aafia killed no one or maybe you US patriots won't agree to that. She killed one person and was punished for 86 years. Anders Breivik killed 77 and got punished for 21 years. My main point though is that ONE Christian girl was given more attention by the media than thousands of Muslims in Myanmar where we currently have a genocide going on!
@lovePak: Bhai AAP logon nay to idher hee jahad shuru ker diya , you both are talking about two extremes . And for the correction of record , Afia Sadique was not born in states and was not white so I laugh at your innocence that you compare her with the girl who was born here and probably her family despite all events have been living here . She is by birth Pakistani so how can you compare her case with Aafia Sadique just because Rimsha isn't Muslim it means her case is compared to her. You said west should thank that PK took care of rimsha , PK should care of rimsha because she is Pakistani not because of west interference . Why you simply.can't keep religeon and region into.seperate phases . Even in PK it has not been decided which is teal Islam , am Shia I'm Kafir to you , I am Sunni I'm.Kafir to you , I blow your girl schools then.again.I'm.pawn.of west and Kafir . First define Islam then make it a constitution . By.the way .Pakistan is only.country which came into being on Anti Islamic Law . Two Nation theory is anti Islamic to the extreme extent . Peace out
@lovePak: Anybody who is oblivious of the fact that Pakistan's constitution discriminates against non-Muslims is in no position to evaluate America's justice system. Aafia Siddiqui was not arrested on the fake charge of burning a few pages of the Bible. By the way, such an act is not a crime in America. You commented on my location, because I revealed it. I don't know where you live -- heck, even your name is a mystery -- but obviously, the news does not reach there: You think that non-Muslims live peacefully in Pakistan. The fact that in Pakistan, churches are burnt, Christian colonies are attacked, Hindu girls are forced to convert to Islam, Ahmedis and their places of worship are constantly under attack, etc. seems to have eluded you. Come out of hiding, and listen to the news. Whether one lives in Pakistan or outside of it, one has access to information and news; this is information age. Nonetheless, technology cannot help those who are comfortably ensconced behind their mental barriers. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
@Siddique Living outside Pakistan, it's easy to get the impression that Pakistan persecutes non-Muslims. The reality is that Sikhs in Pakistan live peacefully, Hindus live peacefully and usually Christians also live peacefully. It's very rare that something like this happens but when it does, it gets so much media attention. And the west should be happy that Pakistan dealt with it fairly. It's not like an Aafia Siddique case. Therefore this persecution is alleged while Burma is very real but gets no media attention and of course Aafia Siddique in Guantanamo Bay isn't persecution at all, it's classical American justice.
@Kaalchakra: Why can the focus not stay simultaneously on persecution of all minorities of the world, including Burmese Muslims and Pakistan’s non-Muslims? Why are you desperate to hide the persecution of Pakistan’s non-Muslims? Why is their persecution “alleged,” while that of Burmese Muslims real? Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
There is after all a solid reason for all the hate against America in Pakistan. The reason is that we've sacrificed lives and loads of money for the American cause only to be killed more in drone attacks. And when something like this happens in Pakistan or Muslims are found to be aggressors against Christianity, it's highlighted in all ways. When Muslims are oppressed (Palestine, Chechnya, Bosnia, Myanmar, Kashmir) it's never even shown. And when it is, we get comments from birdbrains saying we deserve it because of our religion. That is a major reason Pakistan is the most Anti-American country in the world today!
But this time, the blasphemy law saved the day. If there were no blasphemy law, the people would have taken the matter into their own hands.
Now where are the liberals always crying about Pakistan's alleged 'atrocities' on non-Muslims? Can we at least now expect the focus to shift to Burma, Kashmir, Chechnya, and Palestine? But no, they will ask for more and more.
Why most things "for first time in Pakistan" happen only after they have been flashing in western media, US in particular?
Dont worry the Girl is one her way to USA a land of religious freedom
This was a classic example of tyranny of the majority! A thug belonging to the majority hurls an accusation on an innocent young girl belonging to a minority. Then the majority-controlled system arrests her. Even the head of the bigotry-infested republic, while pretending to care about her, cannot order her release even when the accuser's own dirty deed is revealed. Now the majority is trumpeting the girl's bail. Even this newspaper calls the bail a" landmark reprieve." Who is going to compensate the victim for her emotional trauma? The fact that she is still not exonerated legally is lost on society. How could a system be so unjust, so brutal, and so self-conceited? Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
President Asif Ali Zardari took notice of 11-year-old Rimsha’s case promptly. Soon after her arrest when the news came in the media, he asked the interior ministry to investigate and report the details to him. During a media briefing, a spokeswoman of the US State Department also expressed her satisfaction over the way Pakistan’s authorities have handled the case. We fervently believe that President Zardari will keep himself abreast with the developments of the case and insist on giving justice to the girl. It is not only a matter of providing fair treatment to this young girl but it is a matter of our country’s reputation, which is already marred by repeated events of terrorism and extremism. It is time that we begin washing these stigmas from ourselves so that we are treated as a normal nation that looks forward to live in peace with itself and its neighbours.
@lovePak: Hay my friend , you are doing same thing , this aggression will not do anything good. I am American , but has been doing free hospital services in Lahore in the wake of new epidemic of dengue , Im not part of any NGO or anything , a free lancer want to volunteer myself for the country where my forefathers were born . I have seen so much hate here for everyone and then all drain goes to america or israel . we need to fix our issues first then blame everyone and international community . after being said . Blasphemy , and all other laws are good and meant for mature people we need to get the maturity first then implementation , no one was upset when Haj Scandal Federal Minister , sold out Hajj in name of Allah , that was blasphemy , Shias labelled Kafir is blasphemy , Ramzan shows pur Jinnat kee haazri and then thier conversion to Islam in blasphemy , whenever we use religeon for any purpose not the purpose its meant for is a blasphemy and I support blasphemy law on all these issues .
@Obaid Ullah Khan: Its been a long time I read something which made lot of sense , a long time no hate speech but very logical point .
I want to see someone the law into their own hands re. the mullah who tore the Quran and planted the pages into Rimshas bag.
@Tom Gilchrist: Yes , thats so right and imagine , few bunch of bandits for more than three times , successfully infiltrative GHQ and Naval bases and achieved the targets . Say No to Nukes . Both for India and Pakistan and then rest of the world .
And before criticizing Pakistan as being unfit for nuclear weapons, you might as well focus on people who have actually used nuclear weapons as well as biological warfare. Used in Japan, Iraq and Afghanistan. No, this is not some 'radical Islamic' group and no, this is not the 'morons' in Pakistan. These are the stupid birdbrains sitting in America. So you might as well think before you criticize Pakistan especially if you're an American!
Don't know what people are crying about here. It seems they earn a living by trying to insult Pakistan from every aspect. Look, the Blasphemy Law SAVED THE GIRL!!! If there were no blasphemy law, people would have taken the matter into their own hands and for this we should be happy that there was this law. I'm not saying I totally agree with there being such thing as a blasphemy law at all. All I'm saying is that this time it saved the girl. It's better to have a controversy resulting in justice than plain injustice. So stop blindly insulting everything about Pakistan even when it has done something good for all humanity!
The mullah who manipulated the evidence and the complainant both should be tried forKAZB, and punished according to Islamic law.
And these morons have nuclear weapons? The mind boggles
What happens after all this blows over? I hope the girls family can live somewhere safely and fruitfully.
good heavens. they think they are big men to attack a little girl and a christian??
Just granting bail is not enough, she should be paid a million rupees per month for life and all mullah should appolozise to her every week for the unjust law.
“It is not only a victory for Pakistan but for all our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world who raised their voice for Rimsha. The entire Christian community is grateful to them"
As long as this is the prevailing attitude on this matter, there is no solution for the issues facing PAK.
The statement is akin to saying that the victim is greatdul for the rapist or the robberer for confessing to the crime.
The prosecutor should have asked for dismissal of the case citing conflicting evidences, if he has any sense of decency.