News Desk
Sahiwal, June 12, 2025:
Farhan Javed Masih, a 28-year-old Christian youth from a small village in Sahiwal, Punjab, was acquitted today by the Anti-Terrorism Court in case number 224/25 registered at Police Station Ghala Mandi. The case, which involved allegations of blasphemy, had drawn national and international attention due to concerns over Farhan’s mental health.
Farhan Masih was arrested on January 26, 2025, following accusations made by two local residents, Iqbal and Tasleem Khan, who claimed he had made blasphemous remarks. His family consistently maintained that Farhan suffers from serious mental health issues and was not in a stable state of mind at the time of the incident.
Farhan, who lives with his widowed mother Parveen Masih, his younger sister, and his 27-year-old mentally disabled brother Junaid Javed, was said to be battling severe drug addiction. According to family members, his addiction had significantly worsened his mental condition in the months leading up to his arrest. “He no longer understands the consequences of his words and actions,” a relative told reporters. The family had called for a thorough medical evaluation and fair investigation to ensure any legal decisions reflected Farhan’s mental health.
Advocate Kashif Nemat represented Farhan during the proceedings. Following his acquittal, Farhan was handed over to Kashif Nemat’s custody from Central Jail Sahiwal.
Bishop Abraham Daniel of Sahiwal acknowledged the role of police in ensuring the family’s safety amid local protests triggered by the blasphemy allegations. He emphasized the importance of religious tolerance and justice in such sensitive cases. “Religious intolerance must be discouraged, and fair justice should prevail. This case demands a balance between the rule of law and recognition of an individual’s mental health,” said Bishop Daniel.
The acquittal has been seen by rights groups as a critical test of Pakistan’s legal framework in handling blasphemy allegations, particularly in cases involving mental illness.