A sessions court in Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan acquitted a female schoolteacher accused of blasphemy, ordering her release from jail.
Hareer Ashraf, a resident of the Yasin tehsil, was booked on charges of blasphemy by the Gakuch Ghizer police station in 2019.
The sessions court continued her trial as she was arrested and sent to prison. After hearing arguments of both sides, the verdict was reserved on June 12. Issuing short order on Thursday, the court absolved her of the charges, ordering she be released from prison.
Blasphemy trials are often marred by unfairness and accused are attacked before their cases concluded. The woman's acquittal is therefore being welcomed by rights activists on social media.
Hareer Ashraf, a resident of the Yasin tehsil, was booked on charges of blasphemy by the Gakuch Ghizer police station in 2019.
The sessions court continued her trial as she was arrested and sent to prison. After hearing arguments of both sides, the verdict was reserved on June 12. Issuing short order on Thursday, the court absolved her of the charges, ordering she be released from prison.
Blasphemy trials are often marred by unfairness and accused are attacked before their cases concluded. The woman's acquittal is therefore being welcomed by rights activists on social media.