On 9 July 2026, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted the final three individuals convicted in connection with the 2014 killing of Shama Bibi and Shahzad Masih, a Christian couple who were attacked and burned to death by a mob in Kot Radha Kishan, Punjab, following allegations of desecrating the Quran. The Court found that the prosecution had failed to establish the defendants’ guilt beyond reasonable doubt due to contradictions in witness testimony and insufficient corroborating evidence. Its detailed judgment was released in August 2026.
The decision brought more than a decade of criminal proceedings to an end. Although several individuals had initially been convicted, subsequent appeals resulted in all those prosecuted in connection with the killings ultimately being acquitted.
The outcome has renewed concerns among human rights defenders, Christian community representatives and legal practitioners about accountability and access to justice in cases of mob violence against religious minorities. While the Supreme Court stressed that the gravity of a crime cannot substitute for sufficient evidence, the absence of any final conviction has also drawn attention to potential shortcomings in investigation, evidence collection, prosecution and witness handling.
The case highlights broader challenges for civil society in advocating for the protection of religious minorities and holding authorities accountable for ensuring access to justice and addressing mob violence in Pakistan. It may also reinforce calls from civil society for stronger investigative and prosecutorial mechanisms, improved witness protection and safeguards against the misuse of blasphemy allegations.