He was innocent.
A Christian man falsely accused of blasphemy in three separate cases has been granted bail after prosecutors failed to provide evidence against him, according to his attorney.
Zimran Asim, a 35-year-old Catholic, was released this week following a September 24 bail approval from the Lahore High Court for his third case. His lawyer, Aneeqa Maria, shared that the court had previously granted bail in two other cases on July 29 and April 24. Asim had been detained by Sargodha police on August 27, 2023, in connection with cases filed under Sections 295-A, 295-B, 295-C, and 298-A of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, for alleged incidents occurring in July and August of the previous year. Violating Section 295-C, which covers blasphemy against the Islamic prophet Muhammad, carries a mandatory death sentence. Judges in all three cases determined that no direct evidence linked Asim to the charges.
Maria explained that Asim had been implicated simply because he was seen with the primary suspect, Akash Masih. During the investigation, Masih admitted he had acted alone out of frustration with anti-Christian violence, specifically referencing incidents in Jaranwala where churches were attacked. Masih’s statements exonerated Asim, but police nonetheless implicated him as an accessory in all three cases.
Asim, a father to a 4-year-old girl, was accused of blasphemy despite Masih’s admission that he was not involved in any Quran desecration or offensive writings. After his release, Asim was moved to a secure location due to safety concerns.
Asim’s family had already gone into hiding following his arrest, branded as “spies” and “blasphemers.” Maria noted that local residents had taken over the family’s home, leaving them with no safe place to return. Asim’s brother, Zeeshan, stated that a smear campaign was launched on social media after the Punjab police chief publicly alleged that the blasphemy incidents in Sargodha were influenced by foreign actors, putting the family at even greater risk.
Maria highlighted the difficulties faced by attorneys defending individuals accused of blasphemy, including threats from extremist groups. She called on the government to address the misuse of blasphemy laws, noting that even legal professionals are endangered by these accusations.
Asim’s case mirrors the recent release of another Christian, Chand Shamaun, who was held on blasphemy charges until a high court found major gaps in the police’s case against him.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee recently criticized Pakistan for failing to prevent human rights abuses, including a rise in blasphemy-related violence. The committee pointed to an environment of increasing religious intolerance, particularly affecting minorities. Pakistan remains ranked seventh on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List as one of the most challenging places to live as a Christian.