Legal Representation for Ahsan Masih in Blasphemy Case
Ahsan Masih, a 26-year-old Christian man from Harappa, District Sahiwal, was booked in a blasphemy case on August 19, 2023, after allegedly sharing on TikTok material linked to the Jaranwala incident. According to the information provided to OLA, the material was shared mistakenly. Ahsan was subsequently arrested and has remained in custody at Central Jail, Sahiwal.
Organization for Legal Aid (OLA) took up his case and provided legal representation throughout the trial. OLA pursued post-arrest bail and, during the trial, filed a petition under Section 265-K Cr.P.C. seeking appropriate relief. The petition and a subsequent revision before the Lahore High Court were dismissed, following which the trial proceeded to final arguments.
On June 29, 2024, the Anti-Terrorism Court convicted Ahsan Masih and sentenced him to death under Section 295-C PPC. He was also sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 295-A PPC, 7 years under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, and 5 years’ imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 500,000 under Section 7(1)(G) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
OLA filed an appeal before the Lahore High Court on August 29, 2024, challenging the conviction and sentences. OLA has since pursued suspension of sentence under Section 426 Cr.P.C. and repeatedly sought early hearing and fixation of the main appeal. Despite these efforts, the appeal has remained pending for substantive arguments.
Based on the latest information available to OLA, the appeal remains pending before the Lahore High Court. OLA continues to represent Ahsan Masih and pursue the available legal remedies through the appellate process.
