Pakistani girl, 11, jailed for ‘desecrating the Koran’

Published on 20/08/2012 00:00

Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari said yesterday he had taken serious note of the arrest of an 11-year-old Christian girl in Islamabad on the charges of blasphemy and called for a report from the interior ministry.

Ramsha, 11, was sent to jail allegedly for desecrating the Koran, the Dawn newspaper said yesterday. Reports said that the girl, who has learning difficulties, was burning used papers collected from the rubbish for cooking when someone entered her house accusing the family of burning pages of the Koran.

Her parents are in protective custody following threats. According to Dawn, police said the girl had been unable to answer their questions properly.

Mr Zardari said blasphemy could not be condoned, but no- one would be allowed to misuse the law for settling personal scores. Rights activists have urged Pakistan to reform its controversial blasphemy laws, under which a person can be jailed for life for desecrating the Koran.