(20 Nov 2012) SHOTLIST
FILE: Islamabad - 31 August 2012
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1. Christian girl accused of blasphemy, with covered face and surrounded by security, entering court building
2. Christian girl leaving court building after hearing and getting into police vehicle
Lahore - 20 November 2012
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3. Defence lawyer Abdul Hameed arriving at his office
4. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Abdul Hameed, defence lawyer for girl accused of blasphemy:
"The case against her was acquitted because of the lack of evidence and all charges against her were dismissed, concluding they were based on heresy and incriminated material that was planted in the girl's possession, and this is not the case of 295 B (Blasphemy law )."
5. Hameed talking to clients
6. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Abdul Hameed, defence lawyer for girl accused of blasphemy:
"In this case, the complainant has the right to appeal in the Supreme Court which is their fundamental right, the court has given the right verdict, the judiciary is independent in our country, this decision has upheld the court's integrity."
FILE: Rawalpindi - 8 September 2012
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7. Christian girl accused of blasphemy being escorted to a helicopter
8. Helicopter carrying the girl flying away
STORYLINE
A Pakistani court on Tuesday acquitted a Christian girl accused of blasphemy over the burning of the Muslim holy book, her lawyer said.
The ruling was the final chapter in a case that caused an international outcry over Pakistan's strict blasphemy laws, which are very popular in the country and are primarily used against supposed offences to Islam.
In August, the young Christian girl was arrested in Islamabad after a Muslim cleric accused her of desecrating the Muslim holy book, the Quran.
The cleric was later accused of fabricating evidence against the girl, whose mental capacity was subsequently questioned.
Attorney Abdul Hameed said the court on Tuesday exonerated his client for lack of evidence and dismissed all charges against her, concluding they were based on "heresy and incriminated material that was planted in the girl's possession".
"Court has given the right the verdict, the judiciary is independent in our country, this decision has upheld the court's integrity," he added.
The girl was freed on bail in September and since then she has been living with her parents at some undisclosed location in Pakistan.
She has not made any public appearance due to security reasons.
The girl's name has been released by Pakistani authorities and in the media but The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles accused of crimes.
Pakistan's blasphemy laws carry a punishment of life in prison or the death sentence.
Pakistani and international human right groups have urged the government to change the blasphemy laws, saying they are too broad and vague and are often used by people who are trying to settle scores with rivals or target religious minorities.
Although many Muslims are also accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad or other acts deemed blasphemous, minorities in Pakistan are disproportionately represented among the defendants, rights groups say.
Religious minorities make up five percent of Pakistan's 180 (m) million-strong population.
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