A Christian man named Basharat Masih was arrested on blasphemy charges based on accusations of sharing blasphemous content on social media, although he insists he is innocent. He was apprehended by the Federal Investigation Agency while asleep on a bus in Rawalpindi, following a complaint filed by a local resident. His family, struggling financially, has only been able to send his uncle, Naveed, to visit him in Adiala Jail. Basharat’s father, George, cannot travel, and his wife, Mehnaz, has tearfully appealed for help. The family has requested BACA’s legal assistance to fight for his release.
Basharat Masih, a 21-year-old waiter at a restaurant in Naran, a popular tourist spot in Northern Pakistan, was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Rawalpindi on 26th June 2024. He was accused of sharing blasphemous content on social media, allegedly insulting the Prophet of Islam. Basharat was apprehended at 3:00 am when the bus he was traveling on stopped at Stop No. 26 in Rawalpindi. He was then transferred to Adiala Jail.
During BACA’s monthly visit to Adiala Jail on 12th September 2024 to meet Zafar Bhatti, Basharat reached out to our officers and shared his distress. He maintained his innocence and pleaded for BACA’s assistance in visiting his family and securing his release from jail.
On 20th September, the BACA team visited Basharat Masih’s family home at 232, Bavewala Samundary Road, Faisalabad, to offer support. Naveed Masih, Basharat’s uncle, shared details of his nephew’s situation. He explained that Basharat had married in March 2024 and worked as a waiter at a local restaurant in Faisalabad, earning Rs. 1000 (£2.70) daily. In June, the restaurant’s owner offered Basharat Rs. 1,500 (£4) per day, along with free food and accommodation, to work at another branch in Naran. Basharat accepted the offer and left for Naran on 25th June.
“He packed his clothes and told us he was leaving for Naran where he would earn more,” Naveed Masih told BACA. “We were happy he would be making more money for the family, but we never imagined he would be caught in a case that has now put his life in danger.”
Basharat Masih was arrested by officers from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) when the bus he was traveling on stopped briefly at Stop No. 26 in Rawalpindi. He had been asleep when the officers apprehended him, confiscated his mobile phone, and took him to the police station for interrogation. The next day, the family received a call from an FIA officer, informing them that Basharat had been arrested on blasphemy charges and was subsequently transferred to Adiala Jail.
The arrest was based on a complaint filed by a Muslim resident of Rawalpindi, Muhammad Shehriyar Khan. The complaint accused 12 individuals of sharing blasphemous images on Facebook. Although the application did not specifically mention Basharat Masih by name, it referred to a Facebook account allegedly linked to him.
The FIA registered a First Information Report (FIR No. 87/2024) under sections 295-A, 295-B, 295-C, 109, and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), along with the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA ).
| 109. | Punishment of abetment if the Act abetted committed In consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment: Whoever abets any offence shall, if the act abetted is committed in consequence of the abetment, and no express provision is made by this Code, for the punishment of such abetment, be punished with the punishment provided for the offence: |
| 295-A. | Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs: Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the ‘religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both. |
| 295-B. | Defiling, etc., of Holy Qur’an: Whoever wilfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur’an or of an extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life. |
| 295-C. | Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet: Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine. |
298.Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings:
Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person or makes any gesture in the sight of that person or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or with both. The news of Basharat Masih’s arrest devastated his family. Financial difficulties have prevented most of them from visiting him in jail, and only his 32-year-old uncle, Naveed Masih, was able to make the trip to Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. During their meeting, Basharat firmly asserted his innocence, stating that he had never shared any blasphemous content from his social media account.
It should be noted that if found guilty Basharat Masih faces a potential death sentence.
Naveed told BACA, “My nephew has been framed in this case. I know he is incapable of committing such a crime, or even considering it.”
Basharat’s father, George Masih, a 45-year-old laborer, expressed his deep sorrow to BACA, explaining that the family’s financial limitations have kept him from visiting his son in jail. To date, only Naveed has managed to meet Basharat.
Basharat’s 24-year-old wife, Mehnaz Bibi, made a heartfelt plea to BACA: “My husband is innocent. Please help him get out of jail.”
The family has turned to the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) for legal assistance, hoping to fight the charges against Basharat Masih and secure his release. They live in constant fear that, without intervention, a death sentence could be imposed on him, despite his innocence of any crime.
In this urgent and distressing situation, it is crucial that we come together to support Basharat and his family. Your contributions can provide the necessary legal representation they need to challenge these unjust accusations and protect their loved one from the severe consequences of a flawed legal system.
The British Asian Christian Association is reaching out to seek your support for Basharat Masih and his family, who have unfortunately not received assistance from any other Christian charity. The family urgently needs resources to initiate a legal challenge aimed at securing Basharat’s freedom. To proceed, we must engage an advocate, which will incur a cost of approximately £1,500.
In addition to these legal expenses, the family is struggling financially, as Basharat was the primary breadwinner. His only sister and elderly father, who works intermittently as a stone mason, are left to fend for themselves during this difficult time. They have also requested assistance with food provisions, as they are currently behind on payments for a local food program due to the loss of Basharat’s earnings.
Your generosity can make a significant difference in their lives, providing not only legal support but also the essential resources they need to survive during this challenging period.
We kindly invite you to contribute to this vital cause. Your donation will make a significant difference in the lives of Basharat and his family during this challenging time.
To donate, please click (here).
Juliet Chowdhry Trustee for the British Asian Christian Association, said:
“I am deeply distressed to learn of yet another innocent victim of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Basharat Masih and his family have endured unimaginable anguish, particularly as they have been unable to visit him due to a severe lack of funds. In sheer desperation, Basharat reached out for help, highlighting the dire circumstances he faces. It is essential that we rally around this family, offering both our support and our prayers as they navigate a legal system designed to thwart justice for minorities.
We must call upon international bodies to work harder to eradicate the inequality and persecution faced by Christians and other minorities in Pakistan. No family should suffer in silence, and we must ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are protected. Together, we can stand in solidarity with Basharat and his family, pushing for the justice they so desperately need.”
