Haroon Shehzad, a Pakistani Christian, was acquitted of blasphemy charges after posting a Bible verse, highlighting the plight of religious minorities.
Newsroom (14/11/2025 Gaudium Press )In a landmark ruling on November 8, 2025, the Sargodha District Court acquitted Haroon Shehzad, a 49-year-old Pakistani Christian, of blasphemy charges that had upended his life for over two years. The decision, confirmed to Fides by attorney Aneeqa Maria Anthony of The Voice Society, marks a rare victory for religious minorities in Pakistan, where blasphemy laws are often misused to settle personal scores or incite communal violence. Shehzad, who endured imprisonment, displacement, and intense societal pressure, can now return to his family, though concerns for his safety persist.
The case began in June 2023, when Shehzad, a resident of Sargodha in Punjab province, shared a passage from the Bible—1 Corinthians 10:18-22—on social media platforms, including Facebook. The scripture, posted without commentary, discusses the incompatibility of worshipping God and participating in rituals involving idols or demons. A Muslim resident of Chak 49 (Shumali) North, a village near Sargodha, misrepresented the post as an insult to Eid-Ul-Azha, the Islamic festival of sacrifice. The accusation sparked outrage, leading to communal tensions and violence that forced dozens of Christian families, including Shehzad’s, to flee their homes for safety.
The Voice Society, a legal aid organization advocating for marginalized communities, stepped in to support Shehzad. After a First Information Report (FIR) was filed with the police, the organization provided him with refuge in a secure location and comprehensive legal representation. However, the road to justice was fraught with challenges. On July 11, 2023, Shehzad’s initial bail hearing took place under intimidating circumstances, with approximately 150 Islamic clerics and protesters crowding the courtroom. The atmosphere of coercion led the judge to revoke Shehzad’s bail, and he was taken into custody after voluntarily presenting himself at a police station.
Shehzad’s legal team, led by Anthony, persisted. They filed a new bail application with the Lahore High Court, which granted his release in November 2023. Over the subsequent two years, The Voice Society navigated a hostile environment to defend Shehzad, ensuring both his legal representation and personal safety. Their efforts culminated in the November 8, 2025, acquittal, when the Sargodha District Court, after hearing final arguments, ruled in Shehzad’s favor, clearing him of all charges.
“This legal victory is a significant moment of justice, achieved despite pressure and intimidation,” Anthony told Fides. She emphasized the broader implications of the case, noting the “extreme vulnerability of religious minorities” in Pakistan. While Shehzad is now free, Anthony expressed grave concerns for his safety, warning that he remains at risk of extrajudicial attacks. “The challenges we face in achieving true justice and equal rights in Pakistani society remain vast and profound,” she said.
The Voice Society hailed the ruling as a step toward justice, expressing relief that Shehzad could reunite with his family. However, the organization underscored the immense suffering endured by Shehzad and his loved ones, triggered by what Anthony described as the malicious distortion of an innocuous religious post. The case highlights the precarious position of Christians and other minorities in Pakistan, where blasphemy accusations—often based on flimsy or fabricated evidence—can lead to imprisonment, violence, or even death.
Shehzad’s acquittal is a rare outcome in a country where blasphemy convictions carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. The laws, enshrined in Pakistan’s penal code, are frequently criticized by human rights groups for their vague wording and susceptibility to abuse. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, at least 1,500 individuals have been charged with blasphemy in Pakistan since 1987, with Christians, who make up less than 2% of the population, disproportionately targeted.
For now, Shehzad’s supporters are cautiously optimistic. The Voice Society’s steadfast advocacy has secured his freedom, but the specter of vigilante violence looms large. As Anthony and her team continue their work, they call for systemic reforms to protect religious minorities and ensure that justice, not fear, prevails in Pakistan’s courts and communities.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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