Supreme Court Endorses IHC decision, Dismissing 'Blasphemy Case'

Rimsha was arrested after a neighbor accused her of burning papers from the Quran.

Rimsha after she was initially cleared in the case.

(ISLAMABAD) - The Apex Court dismissed the appeal filed against Islamabad High Court (IHC), decision who dismissed the FIR filed against 14-year-old Christian girl, Rimsha, who was accused of committing blasphemy.

The verdict was announced on an appeal application filed by Malik Ummad through his lawyer seeking to re-open the case of Rimsha.

The bench consists of Chief Justice Supreme Court, Justice Iftikhar Muhmmad Chaudhary, Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed, and Justice Gulzar Ahmad ordered to dismiss the case on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

Abdul Hameed Rana, his assistance Akmal Bhatti and Tahir Naveed Chaudhary Rimsha’s lawyers presented in the Supreme Court today.

It sends out a positive image of Pakistan in the international community that there is justice for all and that society has risen up for justice and tolerance,” said Tahir Naveed Chaudhry.

Earlier IHC Chief Justice Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rehman had dismissed the FIR filed against Rimsha in his judgment.

Rimsha was arrested from a slum in Islamabad on August 16, 2012 after a neighbor accused her of burning papers bearing verses from the Quran, a violation of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

Rimsha and her family, who have been in fear for their lives since the blasphemy allegations, were moved to an undisclosed location after her release.

About Shamim Masih

"I am Christian rights activist and freelancer Pakistani journalist specializing in writing about Christians rights for the different papers in the world. My aim is to create a peaceful environment in the society and to help eliminate Christian persecution through my writing as I bring the plight of these brave people under the spotlight of the whole world."

Shamim Masih was born in Sheikhopura's village and raised in Gujranwala, a city in Pakistan's Punjab province. He earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of the Punjab, Lahore majoring in English, Economics and Statistics; he also received a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

As a freelance writer and author, Shamim has written for different papers in the world; his expertise is in writing articles highlighting different social issues. He has served as freelance chief reporter and column writer in “Minority Times” in Islamabad, and a number of Shamim's articles have been published in local papers as well.

You can write to Shamim at this address: shamimpakistan@gmail.com