Rao-Abdur-Rahim-670
Rao Abdur Raheem, (C), the lawyer for the accuser of the Christian girl charged with blasphemy for allegedly burning papers of Quranic verses, talks with media outside the court in Islamabad on August 30, 2012. — Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: Doctors and officials are “favouring” a young Pakistani Christian girl charged with blasphemy after allegedly burning papers containing Quranic verses, the lawyer for her accuser claimed on Thursday.

The girl has been held since Aug 16 on suspicion of desecrating the Holy Quran.

A medical report earlier this week said that girl was around 14 years old — her age had been in dispute — and appeared to be “uneducated” with a mental age below her true age.

But after a brief hearing in the case on Thursday, which she did not attend, Rao Abdur Raheem, the lawyer representing her accuser, rejected the doctors' assessment.

“The victim has admitted that she burned a chapter of the Quran,” he told reporters outside court in Islamabad.

“The doctors are favouring the victim and the state is also supporting her.”

Raheem also objected to the medical examination because it was carried out a day before the court formally requested it.

The girl’s case has prompted concern from Western governments and the Vatican and anger from human rights campaigners, who have warned the laws, are often used to settle personal vendettas.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...