A Pakistani Christian has been released from prison seven years after being accused of blasphemy.

Sawan Masih was imprisoned in 2013 and extreme violence followed his charges, Mission Network News reports.

After Masih's accusation was initially broadcast over a PA system, a Muslim mob reportedly attacked a mainly Christian neighbourhood, Joseph Colony.

However, the violence was not a religious issue, reports a representative of Forgotten Missionaries International (FMI).

"The government and business community wanted to grab this colony, this land. They wanted to build a factory on this land. So first, they tried to convince Christians of this area to leave this colony. When they refused, they just made a story and accused this guy Sawan," explains FMI representative, Nehemiah.

"They just accused him with a false charge of blasphemy and burned the whole town. Many churches, shops, and more than 200 Christian houses were burned."

Many family members of Masih were lost in the attack and Masih was arrested.

A lack of evidence has not prevented Masih's case from lagging in the courts system over the past seven years.

Threats by extremists in the area have also delayed Masih's release. Even now acquitted, Masih has not left prison as he fears he will be killed.

Nehemiah compares Masih's situation to the case of Asia Bibi, who was also a Pakistani Christian accused of Blasphemy. The representative asks for prayer for Masih as he navigates his future having spent seven years imprisoned on a baseless charge.

"I always request brothers and sisters around the world to pray for Pakistani Christians. [Pray] they can stand for the persecution they are facing. They realize that many Christians around the world are concerned for them and they’re praying for them," Nehemiah says.

Pakistan is the fifth worst country in the world for the persecution of Christians, according to Open Doors USA's World Watch List.

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