Nadeem Masih, a visually impaired Christian accused of blasphemy, has been acquitted by a court in Lahore, Pakistan, after spending 10 distressing months in prison.

Lahore Additional Sessions Judge Saad Salman Khan ordered Masih’s acquittal due to the prosecution’s failure to provide sufficient evidence against him. 

Masih was arrested in Lahore on Aug. 21, 2025. The case against him showed multiple inconsistencies. The police report claimed that the alleged blasphemy occurred at 11 p.m. in Model Town Park, where Masih works, even though the park closes to the public at 9 p.m. Statements from two key prosecution witnesses also raised serious doubts about the credibility of the allegations. 

Before his arrest, Masih was the primary provider for his family. Determined to live with dignity after his father’s passing, he completed a formal arts degree under the disabled quota. When he was unable to secure a formal job, he set up a small spot in Model Town Park with a weighing machine to earn an honest living. Moved by his determination, park visitors frequently gave money generously. 

However, his vulnerability was exploited by park workers, who regularly stole from him and borrowed money they had no intention of returning. The conflict began when Masih demanded his borrowed money back. Refusing to pay him, the workers instead used a blasphemy accusation to silence him. 

Weaponizing the blasphemy law to settle personal vendettas, financial disputes, and property scores is an increasingly common practice in Pakistan. In an environment where such accusations often carry severe extrajudicial risks, the Lahore court’s decision to acquit Masih on the merits of the evidence stands out. 

Masih’s family said they are filled with relief and gratitude. His mother, speaking through tears, shared that it feels like nothing less than a miracle to have her son back home safely. 

Masih’s ordeal is part of a wider systemic crisis across the province. According to the annual report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), 812 people were imprisoned on blasphemy-related charges in Punjab alone during 2025. This total included 796 men, 15 women, and one juvenile. 

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