The violent history of Pakistan's blasphemy laws

Several churches were vandalised, and the surrounding Christian settlements were ransacked in Pakistan's Faisalabad on Wednesday (August 16) after a Christian family was accused of blasphemy.

The mob made its way through a predominantly Christian area on the outskirts of Faisalabad's Jaranwala district after allegations spread that the Quran had been desecrated.

"The crowd inflicted heavy damage on the area, including the homes of Christians, and many churches," Ahad Noor, a district government official, told AFP.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), President Bishop of the Church of Pakistan Azad Marshall said that Bibles were desecrated and Christians were tortured and harassed, having been "falsely accused of violating the Holy Quran."

Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL

— Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) August 16, 2023

Pakistan's blasphemy laws have been used to target religious minorities in the past also, and there have been numerous cases of people being falsely accused of blasphemy, and many of those accused have been killed by vigilante mobs.

What are Pakistan's blasphemy laws?

In 2023, Pakistan strengthened its already harsh blasphemy laws by making it a capital offense to desecrate the Quran. The law was amended after a mob killed a Sri Lankan factory manager who was accused of blasphemy.

The blasphemy laws in Pakistan are based on the Islamic concept of hudud, or fixed punishments for certain crimes. The laws prescribe the death penalty for anyone who desecrates the Quran, insults the Prophet Muhammad, or converts from Islam. They have been used to target religious minorities, including Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis.

These laws are primarily contained in Sections 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code and carry severe penalties, including the death penalty for blasphemy against Islam or the Prophet Muhammad.

Here is a general overview of Pakistan's blasphemy laws and their history:

Section 295: This section deals with offenses relating to the desecration of the Quran. It prescribes a sentence of life imprisonment for "willful" desecration of the Quran.

Section 295-A: This section criminalizes acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. It carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison, a fine, or both.

Section 295-B: This section addresses the defiling of the holy Quran and prescribes life imprisonment as punishment for this offense.

Section 295-C: This is the most controversial section, which deals with derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad. It mandates either the death penalty or life imprisonment for those found guilty of committing blasphemy against the Prophet.

Section 298: This section pertains to utterances, etc., with the deliberate intent to wound religious feelings. It covers various forms of offensive speech or actions targeting religious beliefs and practices. The penalties vary depending on the specific offense.

A violent history

Blasphemy laws in Pakistan have a history of being used to target religious minorities, dissidents, and individuals with personal disputes. Some incidents of violence and vigilantism have occurred in response to allegations of blasphemy. Accusations of blasphemy can lead to mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and other forms of persecution.

Several major incidents and crimes have occurred in Pakistan due to its controversial blasphemy laws. These incidents often involve accusations of blasphemy against individuals, leading to mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and a climate of fear. Here are a few notable examples:

Salman Taseer Assassination (2011): Salman Taseer, the Governor of Punjab province, was assassinated by his security guard, Mumtaz Qadri, in January 2011. Taseer had criticized Pakistan's blasphemy laws and expressed support for Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. Qadri claimed that he killed Taseer for his stance against the blasphemy laws. Qadri was later executed in 2016.

Minorities Targeted (Various Incidents): Blasphemy accusations have often been used against religious minorities in Pakistan. In 2013, a mob attacked a Christian neighborhood in Lahore after a Christian man was accused of blasphemy. In 2009, the town of Gojra witnessed anti-Christian violence after a blasphemy allegation. These incidents resulted in deaths, injuries, and property destruction.

Aasia Bibi Case (2009-2019): Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman, was accused of blasphemy in 2009 and sentenced to death in 2010. Her case gained international attention and led to debates about Pakistan's blasphemy laws. In 2019, the Supreme Court of Pakistan acquitted Aasia Bibi due to a lack of evidence, but her acquittal was met with protests and threats from religious extremists.

Lynchings and Vigilante Violence: Numerous cases of mob violence and lynchings fueled by blasphemy accusations have occurred. In 2017, a journalism student, Mashal Khan, was lynched by a mob at his university after being falsely accused of blasphemy. In another incident, a mob attacked a police station in 2014 and killed a man accused of blasphemy who was in police custody.

Rimsha Masih Case (2012): Rimsha Masih, a young Christian girl with intellectual disabilities, was accused of blasphemy in 2012 for allegedly burning pages of the Quran. She was later acquitted after the accuser was found to have fabricated evidence. The case highlighted the misuse of blasphemy laws and their impact on vulnerable individuals.

Shaan Taseer Harassment (2016): Shaan Taseer, the son of Salman Taseer, faced threats and harassment for criticizing blasphemy laws and expressing solidarity with Aasia Bibi. He was openly critical of Qadri's execution and was subsequently targeted by extremists.

Criticism

The blasphemy laws have been widely criticized by human rights groups. They argue that the laws are discriminatory and violate the right to freedom of expression.

They also argue that the laws have created a climate of fear and intimidation, especially for religious minorities.

In recent years, there have been calls to reform or repeal Pakistan's blasphemy laws. However, the government has been reluctant to do so, due to the fear of backlash from religious extremists.