Pakistani court extends remand of blasphemy case

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

A Pakistani court on Friday extended the judicial remand of a Christian girl accused of defaming Islam, prompting human rights activists to make fresh calls for her release in a case that has drawn renewed criticism of the country's anti-blasphemy laws.

The girl went before a judge an Islamabad court where her detention was extended for 14 days.

Religious and secular groups worldwide have protested over the arrest this month of Rimsha Masih, accused by Muslim neighbours of burning Islamic religious texts.

Under the blasphemy law, anyone who speaks ill of Islam and the Prophet Mohammad commits a crime and faces the death penalty, but activists say vague terminology has led to its misuse.

There have been conflicting reports about Masih's age and her mental state. Some media have said she is 11 and has Down's Syndrome.

A hospital said in a report she was about 14 but had the mental capacities of someone below that age and was uneducated.