by Zahid Hussain
UCA News
Although the charges are still pending, they said it is a rare case of fair treatment when Christians are accused of contravening Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws.
Pervaiz Masih, 40, was arrested in the Pakistani city of Kasur in September after being accused by his Muslim contractor of making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Mohammed — a charge he denied.
He was granted bail on Oct. 8, according to his lawyer, Tahir Gull.
"Masih has been granted bail by the court on merit. And we are glad that speedy justice has been served in this case," Gull told ucanews.com.
Maish was booked under a section of Pakistan's criminal code that prohibits making derogatory comments that insult the prophet. The charge calls for the death sentence in the case of a conviction.
"There was no evidence whatsoever against Masih that he made any derogatory remarks," Gull said...
...Joseph Francis, national director for the Center for Legal Aid and Settlement, which helps persecuted Christians in Pakistan, said that the decision to release Masih on bail was rare.
Fear of backlash from fanatics often results in unfavorable rulings against those accused of blasphemy, Francis said.