Pakistan: Christian with mental illness accused of blasphemy

Image: Jihad Watch

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – Despite being aware of his mental condition, police in Pakistan arrested a Christian man this week on charges of blasphemy, sources reported.

On Monday (Jan. 26) in Sahiwal, Punjab Province, Ghala Mandi police took Farhan Javed Masih, 28, into custody after a local villager, Muhammad Bilal Khan, accused him of making derogatory statements about Islam and its revered figures, according to Farhan’s mother, Parveen Javed.

“We were at home when Bilal and some other Muslims arrived and told us that Farhan had committed blasphemy,” Parveen Javed shared with Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. “I begged them to forgive him, considering his mental condition, but they refused and called the police, who arrested him.”

Parveen, a widow for six years and mother of three in Chak 134-9/L village, said her son’s mental health began to decline after his father’s death. His younger sister, Anum, mentioned that Farhan's mental illness was well-known in the village.

“Arresting him for blasphemy will only worsen his condition,” Anum stated. “The police should have at least ensured a mental health evaluation before filing the FIR [First Information Report] against him.”

Parveen, a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, revealed that her son had completed a four-year nursing course and worked at Adam Welfare Hospital in Sahiwal, but was dismissed in 2023 due to his mental health struggles and drug addiction.

“Farhan became addicted to heroin, which worsened his mental condition,” she explained. “We tried seeking treatment, but nothing worked. Since losing his job, he has spent his days aimlessly wandering the village, saying nonsensical things. Everyone in the village knows he is mentally unwell.”

His sister added that the family is struggling financially, relying on her and their mother’s income.

“My mother and I are already overwhelmed by the burden of my brother’s illness and addiction,” she said. “Now, we’re on edge, wondering what will happen to Farhan with such serious charges.”

In Pakistan, intent must be proven for a conviction on blasphemy charges, which can lead to punishments ranging from fines and imprisonment to the death penalty.

The complainant, Bilal Khan, stated in the FIR that while he was watering his crops, Farhan approached him and began speaking irrationally.

“Your holy figures are false, and I don’t want to live among Muslims because you are of inferior status,” Farhan reportedly told him, according to Khan’s police statement.

The police filed a case against Farhan under blasphemy laws, including Section 295-A, which mandates up to 10 years in prison for intentional acts meant to insult religious beliefs; Section 298-A, which provides a penalty of up to 10 years for disrespecting Muhammad’s wives and companions; and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which includes provisions for causing civil unrest and carries a minimum five-year jail sentence.

Bishop Abraham Daniel of the Baptist Church in Sahiwal noted there are 150 to 200 Christian families in the village.

“As soon as I heard about the incident, I contacted senior police officials and requested protection for the Christian community,” Daniel said. “Thankfully, the police responded quickly, and the situation is now calm.”

He emphasized that Farhan’s mental illness should have prevented his arrest on blasphemy charges.

“Farhan does not have control over his mind and doesn’t understand the gravity of his statements,” Daniel said. “He did not commit blasphemy on purpose, and both the police and court must consider his mental state when making their judgment.”

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)