Christian Teen Accused Of Blasphemy Wins Legal Battle
Ashbeel Ghauri, an 18-year-old Christian, was granted bail on Thursday after enduring a week of solitary confinement, where he found solace in his faith. His arrest on March 6 came following accusations of blasphemy leveled against him by a former classmate, Sheraz Gulistan, within a WhatsApp discussion group back in January. Under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws outlined in Section 295-A, Ghauri faced charges for allegedly causing offense to religious sentiments, an offense punishable by up to a decade in prison or a fine, or both.
Reflecting on his ordeal after being released from Attock District Jail, Ghauri expressed astonishment that his defense of his Christian beliefs against pressure from classmates to convert to Islam led to persecution. He clarified that although he engaged in discussions, he refrained from making derogatory remarks about Islam but rather posed questions that unsettled some participants.
Describing himself as an introvert, Ghauri revealed that his time in confinement was predominantly spent immersed in the Bible and other religious texts, drawing strength from prayer. While proud of his Christian identity, he admitted discomfort when his beliefs were scrutinized by Sheraz and others. His exploration of various religions, including Islam, equipped him with knowledge to counter criticisms of Christianity with scholarly references.