Lahore, Pakistan – After spending more than thirteen years behind bars on false blasphemy charges, Zafar Bhatti, a Christian man long known for his resilience and faith, has tragically passed away just two days after his long-awaited release. The Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, had finally acquitted him on 2nd October 2025, bringing an end to a painful legal battle to prove his innocence.

According to reports, Bhatti passed away in Lahore following serious health complications that had worsened during his imprisonment. His long detention, poor prison conditions, and repeated court delays had caused severe physical and emotional suffering.

CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement) had been providing legal aid and humanitarian support to Zafar Bhatti and his wife, Nawab Bibi, for several years. However, later, for certain reasons, he changed his lawyer. Nawab Bibi continued to endure years of hardship during her husband’s imprisonment. Despite numerous setbacks and threats, CLAAS remained committed to advocating for his release and supporting the family.

Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, expressed deep sorrow over Bhatti’s death, saying:
“Justice was delayed for far too long in Zafar Bhatti’s case. His death, just two days after being declared innocent, is a heartbreaking reminder that in Pakistan, justice for victims of blasphemy laws often comes too late. There are still several others like him who have been languishing in jails for over ten years, waiting for justice. The government must pay serious attention to these cases, especially when it is evident that many innocent people have been falsely accused to settle personal grudges or religious hatred.”

Bhatti’s tragic death underscores the urgent need for blasphemy law reform and stronger safeguards to prevent further misuse of these laws against vulnerable communities.