Zafar Bhatti (62) has been acquitted by the Lahore High Court and released from prison. He had been in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Central Jail since July 2012 when he was charged with sending blasphemous text messages.
His conviction was overturned on 2 October by the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court and he was later released from prison.
The court’s decision followed a hearing held on 25 September when Zafar’s lawyer, Saiful Malook (who secured the acquittal of Asia Bibi in October 2018 and Shagufta Kausar and Shafqat Emmanuel in June 2021), argued that there was no substantive evidence to support his conviction. When he took over Zafar’s case in November 2022 he said, “We have a very strong case.”
The case against Zafar was based on claims that the SIM card used to send the alleged blasphemous messages was linked to Zafar’s phone and that his recorded voice matched the SIM activation. Despite the fact that several reports proved that the SIM was not registered to Zafar, he was held in custody for five years before being convicted in 2017 and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2022, the sentence was upgraded to a death sentence. At least 47 appeal hearings have been adjourned since Zafar was convicted (31 from 2017 – 2022 and 16 from 2022 – 2025). It is thought that many adjournment decisions were made because the assigned judge was afraid to deal with the case.
Court heard arguments from both sides
During the hearing on 25 September, Justices Jawad Hassan and Muhammad Waheed Khan heard arguments from both sides. Justice Jawad Hassan rejected the prosecution claim, pointing out that Pakistan’s telecoms system requires the actual SIM owner to be present during activation, undermining the prosecution’s argument.
Zafar’s lawyer Saif ul Malook then argued: “This is only corroborative evidence since the main evidence had been discarded. On the basis of a voice recording alone, no conviction can be based.” The judges accepted this reasoning and acquitted Zafar Bhatti of all charges.
Visit to Nawab
Two representatives from a Church in Chains partner organisation visited Zafar in prison on 2 October and also visited his wife Nawab (see photo). Both have been in poor health for some years. On a visit in May 2025, it was reported that Zafar looked weak due to his various health issues. His heart continued to be in critical condition and he was still receiving medication to control his diabetes. He was also receiving treatment for gangrene in his right foot. Nawab (75) had a setback earlier this year after suffering a fracture to her leg in a fall and she continues to be weak and frail.
Future Plans
The immediate priority for Zafar will to be reunited with Nawab and for them to be able to live together in a safe place. It is anticipated that they will require treatment for their ongoing health concerns and support for their living arrangements.
(British Asian Christian Association and local sources)