Witness Who Came Forward Against Khalid Jadoon Withdrew Their Testimonies

Earlier today, Syad Wajid Ali Gilani, Jadoon’s lawyer, submitted his bail application, but the court adjourned the hearing in Jadoon’s bail plea until Tuesday.

Shamim Masih questions Imam Chisti before the Imam was accused of falsifying evidence. Photo: britishpakistanichristian.blogspot.com

(ISLAMABAD, Pakistan) - The witnesses who came forward against Qari Muhammad Khalid Chishti, who is accused of adding burned pages from the Quran into the girl Rimsha's bag to strengthen a blasphemy case against her, withdrew their statements, on Monday.

The list of witnesses includes Hafiz Zubair, Hafiz Awais and Khurram Shehzad, who had sworn and stated that the police had pressured them into recording the statement in writing and under oath against Jadoon.

Earlier today, Syad Wajid Ali Gilani, Jadoon’s lawyer, submitted his bail application, but the court adjourned the hearing in Jadoon’s bail plea until Tuesday.

Earlier, police officials investigating the case had submitted an interim charge-sheet to the trail court, declaring Muhammad Khalid Jadoon Chishti guilty.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday extended the stay on blasphemy trial against Rimsha Masih until October 17.

IHC Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman resumed hearing of a petition seeking nullification of an FIR registered against Christian girl, Rimsha on blasphemy charges.

During today’s hearing, a representative of the prosecution lawyer told the court that the lawyer was not present in Islamabad and subsequently requested the bench for more time.

Earlier on Sept 28, the IHC Chief Justice had stayed the blasphemy trial of the minor Christian girl in order to first hear on Oct 1 her petition for quashing the FIR registered against her.

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