A Pakistani Christian girl detained on accusations of defaming Islam has been refused a meeting with a lawyer.

Rimsah Masih, a teenage girl who some media have said has Down's Syndrome, was reported by a neighbour under Pakistan's anti-blasphemy law after her daughter saw Masih throwing away rubbish that included burned Islamic religious texts.

A spokesman for All Pakistan Minorities Alliance said jail authorities had told lawyers to get permission from top authorities to meet with Masih.

"I myself contacted the inspector general (of prisons) by phone and he told me that he will call me back, but I am still waiting to speak to him," Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, one of Rimsha's lawyers, said.

"Legally, they can't stop a lawyer seeing his client in the jail but the authorities are refusing us a meeting."

Punjab prison authorities have denied restricting the access of lawyers to Masih.

Christian activist Xavier William, who had visited Masih at the police station where she was first detained, said she was "frightened and traumatised."

"She was assaulted and in very bad shape. She had bruises on her face and on her hands," Mr William said.

Christians make up four percent of Pakistan's population of 180 million.

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.

At least seven Christians were burned to death in 2009 when 40 houses and a church were set ablaze by a mob of 1000 Muslims, after reports of the desecration of the Koran.

Masih is due to appear in court in the next 10 days, where she could be formally charged with blasphemy.

AFP/Reuters