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Rimsha Masih released on bail

Published: September 8, 2012

ISLAMABAD: Rimsha Masih, a 14-year-old Christian girl accused of blasphemy, was released from Adiala Jail on bail and sent to an unknown location through a helicopter on Saturday.

Under strict security arrangements, Rimsha was transferred to the helicopter via a bullet-proof car on being released. The helicopter was present in a ground opposite the jail. Rimsha’s family has already been shifted to that location.

Earlier during the day, the bail for Rimsha Masih’s release was submitted to the additional sessions court.

Express News correspondent Qamar ul Munawar reported that Rimsha’s family and lawyers went to Adiala Jail to submit the receipts and receive the girl.

On the orders of the Interior ministry, the additional IG, along with a heavy contingent of police, was also deployed for Rimsha’s secure release.

The next hearing of the case will take place on September 16, while the additional sessions court has ordered the IG Islamabad to appoint an honest senior SP for investigations.

Rimsha, a 14-year-old Christian girl, was arrested in a poor Islamabad suburb on August 16 and accused of burning papers containing verses from the Holy Quran, in breach of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

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Reader Comments (56)

  • B.Ally
    Sep 8, 2012 - 4:08PM

    Good Beginning .

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  • Striver
    Sep 8, 2012 - 4:08PM

    That’s good news. Where is the Mullah?

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  • Raw is War
    Sep 8, 2012 - 4:27PM

    why bail is required from innocent people? OH. I guess it works other way in Pakistan. Crooks can walk out without bail. But innocents will be made to pay.

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  • JoinHands!
    Sep 8, 2012 - 5:56PM

    Helicopter? you got to be kidding me. oh on the other hand; wheres the appreciation from Vatican for this security?? The media? Lol.

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  • Ayesha
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:03PM

    Finally,now when Rimsha has been released,hang Jadoon publicly to set an example.Recommend

  • Fundyar
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:05PM

    I was thinking that we need to change the blasphemy law
    That may be hard!
    Can we copy the punishment under law for people
    that falsely claim that someoone commits blasphemy to be same?

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  • moonjely sony
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:06PM

    its an eye wash she and her family will be eliminated soon.

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  • Umer
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:11PM

    The next hearing of the case will take place on September 16

    Hearing for what? Rishma should be taken out of country as soon as possible. She will never be safe in Pakistan.

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  • Hairaan
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:17PM

    looks like repeat of Raymond Davis episode (once foreign masters intervened)

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  • Indian Catholic
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:20PM

    Helicopter! I am not a conspiracy theorist but there seems to be more than meets the eye.

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  • AnisAqeel
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:24PM

    What a joke of our judicial system and mockery of illegally amended constitution. An innocent uneducated child has been released on Rs.1000000.00 bail after hue and cry from all over the world. What was her fault and crime!!! Will our CJ and Judiciary take responsibility of this criminal act instead of going after a few high profile scums. Shame on our whole judiciary system.

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  • AnisAqeel
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:29PM

    @JoinHands!:
    What appreciation you are talking about from Vatican, fighting for the rights of an innocent uneducated child to be released!!! What about apologizing for this ‘great deed’ our mullah-ism created along with people like yourself.

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  • Tabish Bilgrami
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:30PM

    That mullah should be executed under the same law now.

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  • Umer
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:33PM

    @Hairaan:

    looks like repeat of Raymond Davis episode (once foreign masters intervened)

    Maulvi Jadoon must be part of the conspiracy then.

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  • athar
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:36PM

    poor Rimsha.for a safe life you should leave pakistan now.

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  • bashir
    Sep 8, 2012 - 6:42PM

    Molvi Jadoon should be picked up in a helicopter also and thrown in the Arabian Sea

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  • Sindhi-Topi
    Sep 8, 2012 - 7:00PM

    Unless she leaves Pakistan, Rimsha will never be safe. The Age of Barbarians is still not over in Pakistan.

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  • It Is (still) Economy Stupid
    Sep 8, 2012 - 7:03PM

    Rimsha Masih is the straw that will break the camels back (blasphemy law)

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  • AC 80 and 408
    Sep 8, 2012 - 7:04PM

    I wonder how many more Rimhsas have been and how many will be more in the future? We sincerely hope fewer than in the past.

    One step at a time in the right direction is not a bad progress.
    ..p

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  • meekal a ahmed
    Sep 8, 2012 - 7:31PM

    yes. get her to safety and preferably out of the country!

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  • Haris Chaudhry
    Sep 8, 2012 - 7:52PM

    When an innocent, under-age and poor girl with a disability has to be rescued because she did not commit any crimes in the first place in an armoured car and then whisked away in a helicopter to an un-known destination, then it means that we are effectively a nation of mindless madmen.

    This act alone punctures any belief that anyone might have about us being a peace-loving and law abiding society and people.

    This is a zoo and most of us are silent spectators.

    Sad !

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  • Sindhi
    Sep 8, 2012 - 7:59PM

    Please save the poor soul.

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  • Khalq e Khuda
    Sep 8, 2012 - 8:06PM

    @Indian Catholic:

    The helicopter was probably sent by the President as he can not ensure her safety otherwise. He might be the face of the de jure government but the real rulers are masters of the very ideology that keeps laws like blasphemy alive in Pakistan.

    As BB shaheed said, “we were in government but not in power”.

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  • pro-rimsha
    Sep 8, 2012 - 8:22PM

    Well done Pakistan, justice is seen to be done.

    I hope she is left alone to live in peace now.

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  • Hassan
    Sep 8, 2012 - 8:23PM

    Now what about Mullah…

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  • True Muslim Paki
    Sep 8, 2012 - 8:26PM

    Out of country is the only way for her & family to survive. Since their family’s identity is known, they’ll be mob lynched, if they are seen outside.

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  • Raj - USA
    Sep 8, 2012 - 8:26PM

    @JoinHands!:
    Cannot really understand if your comment was serious or sarcasm when you ask “wheres the appreciation from Vatican for this security??”

    Such a small issue of an illiterate 14 year old girl with mental disabilities who picked up some holy book from the trash and burnt it has become a major issue in Pakistan for weeks. CJ, top government official security agencies and religious leaders have to get involved, all trying to extricate Pakistan from the mess it itself has so enthusiastically jumped in.

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  • Azi
    Sep 8, 2012 - 9:01PM

    This is truly pathetic. This is what our country is worried about besides everything else that is going on. Just because a 14 yr old girl doesn’t know what to do or is blamed by mullas, whole country has to make an extremely big deal out of this. Everyday killing of its citizens is no big news.

    Just pathetic, sometimes I just don’t want to read newsRecommend

  • Tina
    Sep 8, 2012 - 9:04PM

    What an irony, an innocent girl was accused of Blasphemy. The whole country knows that the accuser was a liar. But she has to be shifted in a helicopter to an UNKNOWN place. Hence, the matter is still as sensitive as before – after knowing the truth. TRAGIC, VERY TRAGIC INDEED.

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  • Landhi wala
    Sep 8, 2012 - 9:08PM

    @AnisAqeel:
    Who are you to say she’s innocent?? let the court do its job wait till the final verdict.

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  • Sep 8, 2012 - 9:42PM

    @Landhi wala: A 14 yr old is a child. Of course she is innocent. Are emailing from your cave?

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  • Zarri Hashmi0s
    Sep 8, 2012 - 9:46PM

    @Landhi wala:

    Do people like you really know why and how this blasphemy law became a part of the constitution of Pakistan? Before you talk nonsense on a public forum keep in mind people around the world are watching you and reading your pathetic views. The judiciary in Pakistan along with other organizations is proven corrupt in many cases. The blasphemy law is a black mark on our history and the fruits of mullahcracy and dictatorship which date back to 80s. People like you have no knowledge of what is what and you start commenting on constitutions of a Nation. Shame on you for putting the argument forward that she needs to be tried. She is a minor and belongs to a minority. Following the Sunnah, we must ensure her safety and make sure she is released. The Holy Prophet s.a.w. and the Almighty will love and agree to this I am sure and hellfire is waiting for people like you who have no sympathy for humans. How can you even call yourself a Muslim? Shame on you. You are an embarrassment to us Muslims, especially Pakistan.

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  • Umer
    Sep 8, 2012 - 9:48PM

    @Landhi wala:

    Who are you to say she’s innocent??

    In civilised world there is a rule which you may or may not have heard of ‘innocent until proven guilty’.

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  • aftab
    Sep 8, 2012 - 9:50PM

    good amen for Pakistan, that Mullah should be brought to justice for implication Rimsha wrongly. this law should be repelled immediately. Recommend

  • Sep 8, 2012 - 9:56PM

    @AnisAqeel:
    spit on the judiciary, even then they feel like roses thrown on them.

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  • Ali
    Sep 8, 2012 - 10:19PM

    What is this dramatic helicopter scene that i just saw? It’s a shame that our State throw in the kitchen sink to ensure security for our minorities ONLY when international media has their eye on us. Its basically an ALL or NOTHING doctrine.

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  • True Muslim Paki
    Sep 8, 2012 - 10:23PM

    @indian catholic
    Had it not been a helicopter, it would have been really really dangerous for the family to stay alive. Blasphemy is very sensitive & popular in Pakistan. Don’t invent conspiracies.

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  • Injun
    Sep 8, 2012 - 10:31PM

    She and her family should be assisted to emigrate to lead a safe and honourable life elsewhere

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  • gp65
    Sep 8, 2012 - 10:44PM

    Relieved on behalf of Rimsha. Unsure why bail was needed once it was clear that the evidence against her was tainted. But the fact that there was a need to whisk her away because otherwise a 14 year old kid with Down’s syndrome would have been lynched by her neighbours puts paid to the theory of ‘moderate silent majority’. The majority is neither silent nor moderate. IT is baying for the blood of weak and oppressed minorities. As one minority after another get eliminated the definition of minority will continue to broaden. Shias have already entered this list. It is a matter of time before Barelvi Sunnis also enter this list.

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  • SaqibTahir
    Sep 8, 2012 - 10:46PM

    Rimsha deserves education and better life after all that she has been through. I hope some civilized nation will grant her asylum. Recommend

  • Sid Taji
    Sep 8, 2012 - 11:06PM

    Now it becomes state’s responsibility to see that no harm comes to this innocent girl. Let’s hope and pray that there will not be an assassination attempt on her life. It’s time to revisit the draconian hudood law imposed upon by General Zia.

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  • Faraz
    Sep 8, 2012 - 11:24PM

    bail of 500000? for a child with mental age of 8? And this level of protection required to protect a child from citizens of a civilized country?

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  • Hairaan
    Sep 8, 2012 - 11:52PM

    @Umer:

    In civilised world there is a rule which you may or may not have heard of ‘innocent until proven guilty’.

    so Moulvi Jadoon is also innocent until proved guilty?

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  • Umer
    Sep 9, 2012 - 12:02AM

    @Hairaan:

    so Moulvi Jadoon is also innocent until proved guilty?

    Ofcourse, has anyone beaten him up, attacked his family or kicked them out of their homes like Mullahs did to the Christians, Rimsha and Rimsha’s family?

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  • It Is (still) Economy Stupid
    Sep 9, 2012 - 12:24AM

    @True Muslim Paki:
    Out of country is the only way for her & family to survive. Since their family’s identity is known, they’ll be mob lynched, if they are seen outside. Are you describing a civil society or society in stone age? All minorities are either getting converted or killed or migrating to other country otherwise mob lynched? Who is safe in Pakistan any particular sect?

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  • Sir King Kong Bunty
    Sep 9, 2012 - 12:35AM

    Pakistan Zindabad! To all those indian trolls who were bad mouthing us, see our secularisma nd tolerance of minorties. We are light years ahead of you when it comes to treating religious minorties.

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  • suraj
    Sep 9, 2012 - 1:19AM

    Looks like the Govt is trying to save its face on international arena. But, taking them away to undisclosed place shows how the society is polarized on religious grounds..

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  • ASMA AEJAZ
    Sep 9, 2012 - 1:53AM

    So relieved and happy at this decision. May this be the start of sanity and tolerance in our homeland. R.I.P Governor Taseer and Mr. Bhatti , this victory is yours.

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  • True Muslim Paki
    Sep 9, 2012 - 2:23AM

    @It Is (still) Economy Stupid: Obviously, you are an Indian Troll here on ET. Let me try to answer your question

    Society in Stonage: No. This is how the Hyper liberals potray pakistan to be, which is untrue. Being an Islamic Country, people of pakistan are sensitive to anything that`s derogatory of Islam. If you dont cause trouble, everyone is safe.

    All minorities are either getting converted or killed or migrating to other country otherwise mob lynched? : Isnt it that a helicopter has been provided for the safety of Rimshas family though she has done Blasphemy Act?. and yes, if some one belonging to minority community migrates, its not our problem. Aren`t indians/Chinese etc migrating to west? Converting to Islam is a welcome process no matter how.

    Who is safe in Pakistan any particular sect?: As long as they are not Blasphemous, every sect is safe. You may please bother about Muslim supression across the world like Kashmir, China, Palestine, Iran, Burma, Chechniya, and then teach us lessons.

    So, you may please go back into your cave or migrate.Recommend

  • zeeshan sheikh
    Sep 9, 2012 - 2:54AM

    sorry liberals your propaganda didn’t work and she got the justice. now go and prepare for another drama to defame Islam and Pakistan you heretic liberals

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  • Mahakaalchakra
    Sep 9, 2012 - 2:59AM

    In fact Rimsha is released either for life imprisonment (hidden from the world she had known) or to be exiled from her native country.

    This in a way is also an alternate punishment for blasphemy, whether innocent or NOT.

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  • Pakboy
    Sep 9, 2012 - 3:21AM

    @Raw is War:
    The verdict isn’t out yet. Hold your horses Mr. indian

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  • s shah
    Sep 9, 2012 - 7:18AM

    @ASMA AEJAZ: Agree. Ameen.

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  • mr. righty rightist
    Sep 9, 2012 - 7:49AM

    Pakistan, obviously has a penchant for inane drama.

    First you make extraordinary stupid laws only to persecute minority and then you send a helicopter to rescue a minor girl.

    It’s actually a feel good factor for us Indians and a lesson for Kashmiris that when a country is created on bigoted notion of religion, it will fail so miserably.

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  • Pops
    Sep 9, 2012 - 11:23AM

    @Sir King Kong Bunty:
    Ha Ha Ha. Yes we see your secularism everyday. Hindu,s getting forcefully converted, Shias getting shot by the dozens and Christians charged with blasphemy (falsely) because a neighbour bears a grudge against them.

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  • Waqas Albert
    Sep 9, 2012 - 6:48PM

    @Zeeshan

    What has liberals to do with such incident? Raising your voice about such incident has nothing to do with being liberal or whatever. And stop playing and crying like a victim, the mullah who accused Rimsha is defaming islam, not the west or the liberals! And what justice did she get? she now has to fear or flee away for her life! U crying baby doll!

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