Pakistan: Christian Teen Accused of Blasphemy Wins Bail

A Christian teen who spent 17 months behind bars on charges of blasphemy is expected to be released on bail. His case exposes how Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws are often used to target religious minorities.

Akash Karamat was accused of writing blasphemous posters and desecrating a Quran, purportedly in retaliation for the attacks by Muslim mobs on multiple Christian homes and churches in Jaranwala in 2023.

Arrest and Charges

Akash’s ordeal began on August 27, 2023, when he was arrested alongside 35-year-old Zimran Asim. The charges against them were severe:

Section 295-A: Intentional insult to religious feelings (punishable by up to 10 years).

Section 295-B: Desecration of the Quran (life imprisonment).

Section 295-C: Blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (punishable by death).

The case was originally registered in July 2023, but Akash was not named in the initial complaint. His name was added later, in what his defense team argued was a clear case of false implication.

A Young Life Stuck in Legal Limbo

One troubling aspect of Akash’s case was that he was a minor at the time of his arrest. The court officially recognized him as a juvenile in July 2024. Despite this, he remained in jail. His lawyer, Asad Jamal, repeatedly pointed out that the prosecution had failed to present concrete evidence and was delaying the trial unnecessarily.

Under Pakistan’s law, if a trial isn’t completed within two years, a suspect is entitled to bail—as long as they haven’t caused the delay themselves. Yet, Akash remained locked up, facing an uncertain future.

Winning His Freedom—Step by Step

Over the course of several months, the Lahore High Court gradually granted bail in the three separate cases filed against him:

December 19, 2024: First case (most serious charge of blasphemy).

February 13, 2025: Second case (filed weeks after the first).

February 19, 2025: Third case (filed even later, based only on suspicion).

At each hearing, judges acknowledged the weak evidence against him. In one case, the judge pointed out that Akash wasn’t named in the original complaint—his name was added later by the accusers. No charge sheet had been filed in 17 months, showing how baseless the allegations were.

The Bigger Picture

Akash’s case highlights a deep problem with Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Human rights activists have long warned that these laws are often used to settle personal disputes or target religious minorities. In many cases, people accused of blasphemy are stuck in jail for years, even when there is little to no evidence against them.

For Akash, the nightmare may soon be over. With bail granted in all three cases, he is expected to be released soon. But his story is a reminder of how easily someone’s life can be destroyed by a false accusation—and how reform is urgently needed.

Prayer for:

All people who face blasphemy accusations in Pakistan. There are usually only two outcomes for them: Either a mob exterminates the accused, or the accused spends their life in jail.

Families of the accused, who suffer equally if not more with them. In most cases, mobs eliminate not only the accused, but anyone who helps the accused. Akash’s father was forced to close his tailoring business and their family fled their home to escape threats of violence.

Those who fight for the accused. Many people have given up their lives protesting and fighting to raise attention and bring blasphemy laws to an end. Ask that God may give lawmakers and protectors the courage to stand up for what is right and to protect innocent people like Akash.