But in Lahore High Court yesterday Justice Syed Ali Rizvi and Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh acquitted the couple on appeal.

Immediately after the judgement, the couple’s lawyer, Khalil Tahir Sandhu, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which campaigns for persecuted Christians: “I have to confess that after the justices had given their verdict I wept.

“There were times when I wondered if, after so long, justice would ever prevail in this case.”

He said that, after hearing the arguments, the justices noted what he called “inconsistencies” in the case against the couple.

Mr Tahir said the judges disputed the validity of evidence given while the couple were in handcuffs and questioned who owned the sim in the mobile phone allegedly used to make the supposedly offensive remarks.

Shafqat Masih and Shagufta Kausar (© Khalil Tahir Sandhu)

Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director, Aid to the Church in Need (UK), said: “For eight years, Shagufta and Shafqat have struggled to win justice in the teeth of fierce opposition from extremists who are opposed to Christians.

“At last, they have been acquitted – thank God – but there will be difficulties. Extremists still want them dead, we fear they will never be truly free in their own country.”