Islamabad: Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in blasphemy accusations linked to unverified digital content, raising serious human rights concerns. Activists now describe this trend as a form of “blasphemy business,” where fabricated evidence, digitally altered screenshots, and false witnesses are used to implicate individuals.
In a recent development, the Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court acquitted six people in December who were previously sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty based on digital blasphemy charges. The court found that the prosecution failed to establish a credible connection between the accused and the alleged online material. This was highlighted in a report by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, authored by Nayla Mohammad and Cecil Shane Chaudhary.
The court also expressed concern over the growing “blasphemy business,” noting that unverified or fabricated digital content is increasingly used to trap people in cases that carry the death penalty. The report states that religious minorities and economically vulnerable groups are disproportionately targeted, often pressured by intermediaries to pay money for case dismissal or settlements.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, especially Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, mandate the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad, creating a dangerous environment where mere accusations lead to arrests, mob violence, or extrajudicial killings. Data shows that between 1994 and 2024, at least 104 people were killed extrajudicially following blasphemy allegations.
Human rights organisations have raised concerns about collusion between elements linked to religious groups and, in some cases, officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Complaints are often registered without forensic verification, and social media screenshots are accepted as direct evidence. The report also points to the active role of extremist groups like Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in promoting digital blasphemy cases.
The case of Shagufta Kiran, a Christian woman from Islamabad, is cited in the report. She was arrested in 2021 for forwarding a WhatsApp message containing offensive religious content unknowingly. Charged under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code and cybercrime laws, she was sentenced to death in September 2024 after a three-year trial. She is currently on death row awaiting appeal.
The report concludes that such cases expose the vulnerabilities within Pakistan’s state institutions and reveal how blasphemy accusations have become tools for intimidation, extortion, and harassment. Religious minorities including Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, and Shia Muslims remain the most at risk under this system.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment