Cleric Khalid Jadoon Granted Bail in Islamabad Today

Three witnesses who had testified against the cleric had later backtracked from their statements saying that the police had “forced” them to testify.

Khalid Jadoon cuffed and blindfolded, is led by Pakistani military from court. Photo: tribune.com.pk

(ISLAMABAD, Pakistan) - Pakistani cleric Khalid Jadoon, who was accused of adding burnt Holy Quran pages to make the case against Rimsha stronger, was granted bail by a trial court on Thursday at noon.

Cleric Khalid Jadoon

A sessions judge Islamabad granted the bail on submission of a surety bond worth Rs200,000.

Jadoon’s lawyer Wajid Gilani maintained that since all the witnesses against his client backtracked from their statements, police now have no evidence of his involvement in the case.

The cleric was accused of adding pages from the Holy Quran to ashes seized from 14-year-old Rimsha to implicate her and was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand by a magistrate.

Three witnesses who had testified against the cleric had later backtracked from their statements saying that the police had “forced” them to testify.

Jadoon's lawyer says police have no evidence of his involvement in the case.

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