Nabeel Masih, who became Pakistan’s youngest blasphemy convict at age 16 (click here), faces renewed threats of punishment and re-arrest. Despite the Home Department’s clear denial of permission to prosecute, the court has unlawfully removed a section from the charge sheet, exceeding its procedural powers. Terrified of re-arrest, Nabeel pleads for prayers and global advocacy. In response, BACA’s solicitor, Naseeb Anjum, had filed a writ petition at the Lahore High Court challenging the trial court’s order but this was refused by prejudiced judges (click here).
The court has restarted proceedings in Nabeel Masih’s case after removing a major section from the charge sheet last year. Recent hearings have focused on recording witness statements and preparing for counterarguments.
In a significant development, the court has recorded statements from key witnesses—Akhtar Ali, Basharat Khan, and Muhammad Ramzan—while the testimonies of police officials are still pending.
During a hearing on 18th January, Judge Naghmana Ansar recorded the statements of the primary witnesses in the presence of Naseeb Anjum, the solicitor representing Nabeel Masih. The judge scheduled 24th January for counterarguments from the defense. However, when BACA’s legal team accompanied Nabeel Masih and his solicitor to the court on the scheduled date, the hearing was postponed as the judge was on leave. The next hearing was set for 8th February, but once again, it could not proceed due to the judge’s absence.
“This is clearly a delaying tactic by the court, which has been ongoing for the past four years,” said Naseeb Anjum, BACA’s appointed solicitor for Nabeel Masih.
It is important to note that in February 2024, the court removed Section 295A from the original charge sheet against Nabeel Masih. Despite this, the prosecution remains determined to try him under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
Understanding Section 295 of Pakistan Penal Code:
“Injuring or defiling a place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class.”
“Whoever destroys, damages, or defiles any place of worship or any object held sacred by any class of persons, with the intention of insulting their religion, or with the knowledge that such an act would be perceived as an insult, shall be punished with imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.”
This charge does not apply to Nabeel Masih, as he neither defiled a place of worship nor insulted any religion. Nevertheless, the court appears determined to prosecute and convict him for a crime he did not commit.
The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has been dedicated to providing care and legal advocacy for Nabeel Masih since 2018. In undertaking to offer a safe house, training, and ongoing support for his acquittal, our organization incurs significant costs amounting to thousands of pounds each year. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors, whose support makes this crucial work possible.
Your support is crucial to Nabeel Masih’s ongoing legal battle and personal development. Please consider making a donation (here) to help us continue providing him with the necessary assistance.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:
“The persistent judicial delays and blatant disregard for due process in Nabeel Masih’s case expose the deep-rooted prejudice within Pakistan’s legal system. Despite clear directives against prosecution, the courts continue to manipulate proceedings, keeping Nabeel trapped in a cycle of fear and uncertainty. This relentless persecution of an innocent young man underscores the urgent need for international intervention. We call upon global human rights defenders to raise their voices for justice and ensure Nabeel’s safety.”
