LAHORE: Social media personality Rajab Butt is in hot water after Nishtar Colony police booked him under blasphemy and cybercrime laws.

The YouTube and TikTok personality – who previously fell afoul of authorities for keep exotic animals in captivity – is facing charges of allegedly spreading ‘anti-religion content’ in his videos.

Butt’s troubles began after he recently launched a perfume brand named ‘295’. This has been interpreted by his detractors as a reference to the sections related to blasphemy in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). However, Butt claimed that it was a reference to his ‘idol’ the slain Indian Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moosewala, who sang a song of the same name after facing allegations under Section 295 in India.

Butt’s publicity video for the perfume prompted the leader of religious party to file a first information report (FIR) against him at Nishtar Colony Police Station on Monday, under Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens) of the PPC and Section 11 (hate speech) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016.

The FIR, seen by Dawn, said that the complainant was watching videos on his mobile phone when he came across a video by Butt, who was referring to a previous blasphemy case against him and the laws he was charged under, adding that his ‘mentor’ Moosewala was also charged under the same law.

It added that the video also showed the YouTuber naming his new perfume after the said law — PPC Section 295.

Indian and Pakistan laws share the section, as it was introduced during British rule in the sub-continent. In both cases against him, the YouTuber risks up to 10 years in prison.

Rajab Butt also issued an apology video, asserting he was not against the blasphemy laws.

“I apologise for the words I uttered during the launch of the perfume,” he said in the video. “I apologise and announce the discontinuation of this perfume,” he added.

Talking to Dawn, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Faisal Kamran said the Peca section was added since the issue pertained to comments on social media.

He said Butt was currently in Saudi Arabia and would be arrested on his return to the country. The police would also approach the Pakistan Ulema Council for their input in the matter.

Earlier this year, Butt pleaded guilty in January to owning an undocumented wild animal after accepting a lion cub as a wedding gift. He avoided jail by promising a judge to post animal rights videos for a year.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2025