Pakistan 'Rimsha' blasphemy case dropped

A court in Pakistan has dropped a controversial blasphemy case against Rimsha, a Christian girl accused by her neighbour of burning pages from the Koran.

The girl, known as Rimsha and aged 14, was held in a maximum-security jail in July, provoking international concern and indignation.

Rimsha's arrest followed accusations by a Muslim cleric, who is now facing a case for allegedly planting evidence.

Rimsha's lawyer said the case had been a misuse of law. Her family received death threats and went into hiding.

Following an outcry over the case, Rimsha, who doctors said was 14 years old but with a younger mental age, was released on bail - an extremely rare move in blasphemy cases.

The case against the Muslim cleric, accused of framing her, will proceed, the BBC is reporting, and he will be tried for making a false accusation.

There has been no word yet from Rimsha and her family, who remain in hiding, at an undisclosed location, international reports say.

Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97% of the population are Muslim.

Christian campaigners say more than 30 people - suspected of blasphemy - have been killed by mobs or vigilantes over the past 20 years.

Critics say the controversial laws are misused all too often - to persecute minorities or carry out vendettas against particular individuals.