Legal Representation for Shahzad Masih in Blasphemy Case
Shahzad Masih, a 16-year-old Christian boy from Tehsil Kharian, District Gujrat, was accused of uttering blasphemous statements and was booked in a blasphemy case on July 17, 2017. After trial, he was convicted and sentenced to death by the trial court in November 2022.
Following the conviction, Organization for Legal Aid (OLA) took up Shahzad’s case and filed an appeal before the Lahore High Court on November 26, 2022, challenging his conviction and sentence. OLA also presented the defence evidence during the trial and has continued to represent Shahzad throughout the appellate proceedings.
As part of its legal efforts, OLA filed petitions seeking suspension of Shahzad’s sentence under Section 426 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. A suspension petition filed in April 2024 resulted in the Lahore High Court issuing notice to the complainant and directing that the suspension petition and main appeal be considered together. OLA also pursued early hearing of the appeal through repeated applications. On June 17, 2025, the High Court allowed an early hearing request and directed that the main appeal be fixed.
In December 2025, OLA again appeared before the court and successfully sought fixation of the main appeal, which was subsequently listed for arguments in January 2026. OLA has continued to pursue early hearing, including a further application in April 2026.
The main appeal remains pending before the Lahore High Court, where the conviction and death sentence are awaiting consideration on appeal. OLA continues to provide legal representation and pursue the available legal remedies on Shahzad’s behalf.
