MANY modern states, including France and England, have legislation making blasphemy punishable. The underlying idea is that an attack on religion is necessarily an attack on the state.

The blasphemy law codified in Pakistan in Chapter 15 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) containing section 295 B and C and 298 A, B and C impose a variety of penalties for different forms of blasphemy, including death penalty, for anyone found to have, by words or visible representation or by an imputation or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiled the name of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Similarly, anyone blamed as a blasphemer against the Quran would be awarded life imprisonment under section 295C of Pakistan Penal Code.

In 1982, President Zia-ul-Haq, introduced section 295B to the Pakistan Penal Code punishing “defiling the Holy Quran” with life imprisonment. In 1986, section 295C was introduced, mandating the death penalty for “use of derogatory remarks in respect of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).”

In 1990, the Federal Shariah Court ruled that the penalty should be mandatory death sentence, with no right to a reprieve or pardon. However, the blasphemy law is used sometimes against political adversaries or personal enemies, or by Muslim fundamentalists against religious minorities, or for personal revenge.

The Pakistani Catholic Bishop’s Justice and Peace Commission complained that from 1987 to 2014 over 1300 people have been accused of blasphemy, mostly minorities. The vast majority of the accusations were lodged for desecration of the Holy Quran. Critics complain that the blasphemy law “is overwhelmingly being used to persecute religious minorities and settle personal vendettas.”

At least 50 people accused of blasphemy were murdered before their respective trials were completed, and prominent figures who opposed blasphemy laws (Salman Taseer, former governor of Punjab, and Shahbaz Bhatti, the federal minorities minister, were assassinated. Since 1990, 62 people have been murdered as a result of blasphemy allegations.

Isn’t it time that the state and our intelligentsia revisited this issue in the interests of justice and fair play?

Muhammad Yasir Kayani

Kasur

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...