Christian acquitted of false blasphemy charged. “Reminder of abuses”

Farhan Masih, a 28-year-old man with mental health issues, was arrested on 26 January and detained for five months. After a neighbour accused him, the police did not even carry out a preliminary investigation. His mother told AsiaNews: ‘It's a miracle. No one else should suffer for believing in Christ.’ Activists: ‘Police aligned with extremists. Disciplinary action for the officers involved.’

Sahiwal (AsiaNews) - On 12 June, in a rare decision, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan acquitted Farhan Javed Masih, a 28-year-old Christian with mental health issues, who had been imprisoned for almost five months on false charges of blasphemy and terrorism.

Judge Zia Ullah Khan, president of the Sahiwal Regional Court in Punjab, issued the acquittal ruling citing lack of evidence and procedural violations. Farhan Masih was arrested on 26 January 2025 after a local farmer, Muhammad Bilal Khan, accused him of uttering blasphemous words while walking near his fields.

The police hastily registered the charges under the notorious provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code (sections 295-A and 298-A) and the Anti-Terrorism Act, which carry up to ten years in prison and effectively endanger the life of anyone charged. Despite clear evidence of Farhan's mental instability, the police ignored requests for a psychiatric evaluation and did not conduct any preliminary investigation.

‘No explosives, hate speech or incitement material were found,’ said Farhan's lawyer, Kashif Nemat, adding that linking blasphemy to terrorism has become increasingly common, despite the absence of legal basis or standard operating procedures. Farhan's mother, speaking emotionally to AsiaNews, said: "We have suffered and cried for months. The whole village knows that my son is not mentally stable. I was terrified that extremists would come to our house and kill us. I was even afraid to go to court. For me, this is a miracle: I thank God for his mercy and pray that no one else will suffer this just for believing in Christ." For security reasons, Farhan has been advised not to return to his village and to move in with relatives.

Joseph Janssen, minority rights activist and representative of Jubilee Campaign Netherlands – a movement for the liberation of oppressed people – issued a strong statement: “Farhan’s acquittal is not a triumph of justice, but a brutal reminder of how Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are systematically abused to persecute the poorest and most vulnerable.” In fact, Farhan Javed Masih was put in prison, branded a terrorist and denied his dignity. ‘All because he was a mentally ill Christian from a poor background,’ the activist added. ‘The police violated their legal duty by ignoring all safeguards and aligning themselves with extremists rather than the law.’

Janssen continued: “This case lays bare the failures of law enforcement and the impunity enjoyed by false accusers. The police blatantly violated established operating procedures, which require a preliminary investigation, review by a senior officer, verification of intent and assessment of mental health before registering an act of blasphemy.” None of these procedures were, in fact, followed. ‘Why was a mentally unstable Christian charged under anti-terrorism laws without a psychiatric evaluation?’ Janseen asked. ‘The answer is clear: because Farhan was a poor Christian, and the state apparatus continues to serve those who incite religious hatred instead of those who need protection.’

‘We demand accountability. Those who falsely accused Farhan must be prosecuted under sections 182 and 211 of the Pakistani Penal Code,’ he said. "The police officers who blindly recorded the arrest without following mandatory operating procedures must face disciplinary action. As long as false accusers and complicit officials are protected, the blasphemy law will continue to be a tool of oppression.‘ Farhan's ordeal was not, therefore, an exception. It was a pattern. ’Pakistan must reform these laws now and punish their misuse," the activist concluded.