A Pakistani Christian woman, Saima Masih, has been granted rare post-arrest bail after being accused of blasphemy. The charge is widely seen as a false allegation.
According to The Christian Post, the bail was granted on 10th September by Additional Sessions Judge Gojra Waseem Mubarak but kept confidential until now due to security concerns.
The accusations against Masih and her younger sister, Sonia Bibi, stemmed from an alleged incident on 6th August, when a Muslim neighbor, Muhammad Haider, claimed the sisters threw a sack containing Quranic pages near their home.
Attorney Haneef Mattu said that Haider’s accusations were retaliation after Masih rejected his inappropriate advances.
Masih, a health worker and widow with two children, has since gone into hiding with her family.
Bibi, a mother of three and teacher, managed to flee the area.
Mattu’s attempts to secure pre-arrest bail for Bibi were initially denied, though she was later cleared in an investigation.
Mattu filed a petition in the Lahore High Court seeking to dismiss the charges against both sisters. However, the court advised him to refile under Section 265-K of the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing for an acquittal before charges are formally framed.
The outlet reported that since the allegations emerged, the sisters and their families have faced significant dangers.
Akmal Bhatti, chairman of the Minorities Alliance Pakistan, reported that a mob attempted to kill Masih, but police intervention prevented the attack.
Sajid Christopher of the Human Friends Organisation emphasised that both women have endured threats, death risks, and a prolonged legal ordeal that has disrupted their lives.
“Although Saima has been released, she remains at risk,” Christopher explained.
“Accusations of blasphemy often result in social ostracism and vigilantism, leaving her and her children in constant danger.”
Christopher called on authorities to ensure the protection of both sisters and their families. “The justice system must shield the innocent and hold accountable those who make false allegations. No one should live in fear due to baseless blasphemy charges,” he said.
Joseph Jansen, a minority rights advocate, added that the case highlights how Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are frequently misused to settle personal disputes, often leading to mob violence and extrajudicial killings.
Pakistan ranks seventh on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the most challenging places for Christians.