Zafar Bhatti
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Pakistan
Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other
Health Concerns: Diabetes, heart disease, headaches
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Death
Sentence: Originally Life Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July/22/2012
Date of Sentencing: January//2022
Current Status: Deceased
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy
Zafar Bhatti
Extra Bio Info:
Zafar Bhatti was imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.
On July 22, 2012, authorities arrested Bhatti, a pastor, after he was accused of sending text messages insulting the Prophet Muhammad's mother. Bhatti was reportedly tortured into confessing.
On May 3, 2017, Bhatti was sentenced to life in prison for "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC). Bhatti has reportedly been attacked while in prison.
On June 22, 2021, Bhatti's conviction was upheld by a sessions court judge in the Rawalpindi District.
In January 2022, the Rawalpindi Sessions Court reportedly sentenced Bhatti to death.
On October 3, 2025, Bhatti was acquitted and released from prison. On October 5, 2025, Bhatti reportedly passed away after a heart attack.
Publicly Available Information:
- USCIRF Annual Report 2023: Pakistan
- "Pakistan’s longest serving blasphemy convict has been given death sentence" British Asian Christian Association
- "Zafar Bhatti" Church In Chains
- The Voiceless Victims of Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws International Christian Concern (ICC)