Pakistan-Christians-lawyer-670-ap
Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, the lawyer of a Christian girl accused of blasphemy, talks to media after a court hearing in Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad heard the case pertaining to a girl who had been accused of blasphemy adjourned the hearing to Sept 1, DawnNews reported.

The case was heard in the court of district and sessions judge Islamabad Justice Jawad Abbas.

The court issued notices to the state and the complainant over the bail application.

The complainant's lawyer said that the legal procedure was not being followed in the girl's case who he said was being tried under the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance (2000).

The complainant's lawyer objected to the girl's medical test saying that it was carried out before the court could have ordered one.

The lawyer for the girl disagreed and said that the test was conducted by a panel of eminent doctors.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to Sept 1.

A large number of people belonging to the Christian community,civil society and international media were present at the court's premises.

Strict security measures were also employed on the occasion.

The girl belonging to the Christian community who is said to be suffering from Down's Syndrome has been held since Aug 16 under the strict blasphemy laws, prompting concern from Western governments, the Vatican and rights groups.

On Monday, she was taken from prison to a hospital for tests to determine how old she was, a senior doctor told AFP, after conflicting reports about her age.

The medics’ report said that based on factors including her height, build and teeth, the girl appeared to be “approximately 14 years”, and gave details of her apparent mental abilities.

Opinion

Editorial

Some progress
Updated 24 May, 2026

Some progress

Pakistan deserves credit for helping preserve diplomatic space, but also must avoid appearing aligned with coercive pressure from any side.
Chinese market
24 May, 2026

Chinese market

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s trip to China presents an opportunity to rebalance Pakistan’s economic...
Harvesting humans
24 May, 2026

Harvesting humans

ORGAN brokers have for too long preyed on desperation to rake it in. The odious trade — among the most harmful...
More stabilisation
Updated 23 May, 2026

More stabilisation

The stabilisation achieved through painful growth compression steps could have been used as a platform for structural reforms.
Appalling tactics
23 May, 2026

Appalling tactics

IN Punjab, an encounter with the law can quickly turn deadly. Encouraged by a culture of ‘shoot first, ask...
Failed experiment
23 May, 2026

Failed experiment

IT is going from bad to worse for Shan Masood and Pakistan. It is now seven successive Test defeats away from home;...