India&nbsp;raised the issue of misuse of the blasphemy law in Pakistan against minorities.

According to India, currently at least 80 people in prison in Pakistan for the crime of "blasphemy", with at least half of them facing life sentences or the death penalty. At least 42 cases pertaining to blasphemy were registered across Pakistan in a single month.

Indian diplomat to UN in Geneva, Senthil Kumar said, "Pakistan’s deplorable human rights records and discriminatory treatment of its minorities has been a cause of persistent concern for the international community"

Explaining, "In Pakistan, Blasphemy laws are being used against religious minorities such as Christians, Hindus and Sikhs, to violate their human rights and dignity.".

Misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan is something that has been talked about at the international level, especially when it comes to the case of Christian Pakistani women Asia Bibi who later got asylum in Canada.

Senthil Kumar highlighted, "Enforced disappearances, state violence and forced mass displacements, harassment, extrajudicial killings, army operations, torture, kill-and-dumps, torture camps, detention centers, military camps" being a "regular features in Baluchistan".&nbsp;

India cited the example of the disappearance of Rashid Hussain in December 2018, and the killing of journalist Sajid Hussain Baloch after he went missing in March 2020.

He said, "nobody knows the fate of missing 47,000 Baloch and 35,000 Pashtuns till date. Sectarian violence has claimed more than 500 Hazaras in Baluchistan and more than 100,000 Hazaras have fled Pakistan."

He also slammed Islamabad for a similar situation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir saying, "before preaching to others Pakistan must remember that terrorism is the worst form of human rights abuse and a crime against humanity" and "the world doesn’t need lessons on human rights from a country which has been known as nursery and epicentre of Terrorism".

India raised the issue of misuse of the blasphemy law in Pakistan against minorities. According to India, currently at least 80 people in prison in Pakistan for the crime of "blasphemy", with at least half of them facing life sentences or the death penalty.

India raised the issue of misuse of the blasphemy law in Pakistan against minorities. According to India, currently at least 80 people in prison in Pakistan for the crime of "blasphemy", with at least half of them facing life sentences or the death penalty. At least 42 cases pertaining to blasphemy were registered across Pakistan in a single month. Indian diplomat to UN in Geneva, Senthil Kumar said, "Pakistan’s deplorable human rights records and discriminatory treatment of its minorities has been a cause of persistent concern for the international community" Explaining, "In Pakistan, Blasphemy laws are being used against religious minorities such as Christians, Hindus and Sikhs, to violate their human rights and dignity.". Misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan is something that has been talked about at the international level, especially when it comes to the case of Christian Pakistani women Asia Bibi who later got asylum in Canada. Senthil Kumar highlighted, "Enforced disappearances, state violence and forced mass displacements, harassment, extrajudicial killings, army operations, torture, kill-and-dumps, torture camps, detention centers, military camps" being a "regular features in Baluchistan". India cited the example of the disappearance of Rashid Hussain in December 2018, and the killing of journalist Sajid Hussain Baloch after he went missing in March 2020. He said, "nobody knows the fate of missing 47,000 Baloch and 35,000 Pashtuns till date. Sectarian violence has claimed more than 500 Hazaras in Baluchistan and more than 100,000 Hazaras have fled Pakistan." He also slammed Islamabad for a similar situation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir saying, "before preaching to others Pakistan must remember that terrorism is the worst form of human rights abuse and a crime against humanity" and "the world doesn’t need lessons on human rights from a country which has been known as nursery and epicentre of Terrorism".

At UN, India raises the issue of misuse of blasphemy laws by Pakistan against minorities

An outspoken Pakistani student killed by a lynch mob was falsely accused of blasphemy, according to an official report that added his murder was organised by faculty members and rival students.

Mashal Khan, 23, was stripped, beaten and shot before being thrown from the second floor of his hostel at the Abdul Wali Khan University in northwest Mardan in April.&nbsp;

The killing led to a national outcry after a video of it went viral.

The country&#39;s top court ordered the formation of a joint investigation team comprising police and intelligence agencies, which is set to submit its findings this week.&nbsp;

&quot;No direct or indirect evidence supporting blasphemy allegations against Mashal Khan (or his friends) Abdullah and Zubair was received,&quot; the 308-page report, a copy of which was seen by AFP, said.

It added the killing was instigated by members of Khan&#39;s own secular Pakhtun Students Federation, who felt threatened by his growing prominence as a critic of rising fees and alleged corruption at the university, as well as the institution&#39;s staff.

Mashal&#39;s father, Muhammad Iqbal, told reporters on Monday that the findings had vindicated his son.

&quot;This proves my son was not a blasphemer,&quot; he said, calling for the suspects to be tried by a military court.

Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive charge in conservative Muslim Pakistan, and can carry the death penalty. Even unproven allegations can cause mob lynchings and violence.

Last month a 10-year old boy was killed and five others were wounded when a mob attacked a police station in an attempt to lynch a Hindu man charged with blasphemy for allegedly posting an incendiary image on social media.

Weeks earlier a mob attacked a mentally ill man claiming to be a prophet at his local mosque. He was later saved by police.

At least 65 people have been murdered by vigilantes over blasphemy allegations since 1990.

(AFP)

&nbsp;

23-year-old Mashal Khan was stripped, beaten and shot before being thrown from the second floor of his hostel

An outspoken Pakistani student killed by a lynch mob was falsely accused of blasphemy, according to an official report that added his murder was organised by faculty members and rival students. Mashal Khan, 23, was stripped, beaten and shot before being thrown from the second floor of his hostel at the Abdul Wali Khan University in northwest Mardan in April. The killing led to a national outcry after a video of it went viral. The country's top court ordered the formation of a joint investigation team comprising police and intelligence agencies, which is set to submit its findings this week. "No direct or indirect evidence supporting blasphemy allegations against Mashal Khan (or his friends) Abdullah and Zubair was received," the 308-page report, a copy of which was seen by AFP, said. It added the killing was instigated by members of Khan's own secular Pakhtun Students Federation, who felt threatened by his growing prominence as a critic of rising fees and alleged corruption at the university, as well as the institution's staff. Mashal's father, Muhammad Iqbal, told reporters on Monday that the findings had vindicated his son. "This proves my son was not a blasphemer," he said, calling for the suspects to be tried by a military court. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive charge in conservative Muslim Pakistan, and can carry the death penalty. Even unproven allegations can cause mob lynchings and violence. Last month a 10-year old boy was killed and five others were wounded when a mob attacked a police station in an attempt to lynch a Hindu man charged with blasphemy for allegedly posting an incendiary image on social media. Weeks earlier a mob attacked a mentally ill man claiming to be a prophet at his local mosque. He was later saved by police. At least 65 people have been murdered by vigilantes over blasphemy allegations since 1990. (AFP)

Lynched Pakistani student did not commit blasphemy: Police

A Pakistani court has ordered the government to open an investigation into online &quot;blasphemy&quot;, threatening to ban social media networks if they failed to censor content deemed insulting to Islam, lawyers said Thursday.

The issue came to the fore in January when five secular activists known for their outspoken views against religious extremism and the powerful military disappeared, presumed abducted by state agencies according to opposition parties and international rights groups.

Four of them were later returned to their families weeks later, but not before they were tarnished by a virulent campaign to paint them enemies of Islam deserving execution.

Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court asked the government to form an investigative committee to report back next Monday over the issue, saying he could order social media sites to be blocked if offending content remained online.

&quot;The judge ordered the government to make a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) with Muslim officials only to look into the blasphemy issue,&quot; said advocate Tariq Asad, who represents the hardline Red Mosque which brought the case to court.

Rights groups say the label of blasphemer is liberally applied by religious conservatives in order to silence criticism of extremism.

Even unproven allegations can be fatal. At least 65 people including lawyers, judges and activists have been murdered by vigilantes over blasphemy allegations since 1990, according to recent think tank report.

Pakistan previously banned Facebook for hosting allegedly blasphemous content for two weeks in 2010 while YouTube was unavailable from 2012 to 2016 over an amateur film about the Prophet Muhammad that led to global riots.

But Islamabad later came to agreements with major internet firms to block within Pakistan material that violated its laws, generally once the companies had performed their own cross-checks.

Yasser Latif Hamdani, a lawyer who worked to get YouTube unblocked, said previous web censorship had also originated with court orders and the judge could succeed in implementing a fresh set of bans.

&quot;In this case you would have to apply to the Supreme Court to overrule it. Would they? He`s going to couch it in religious language...It could create a lot of problems if he does that,&quot; he said.

(AFP)

&nbsp;

Pakistan had banned Facebook for hosting allegedly blasphemous content for two weeks in 2010, YouTube was unavailable from 2012 to 2016

A Pakistani court has ordered the government to open an investigation into online "blasphemy", threatening to ban social media networks if they failed to censor content deemed insulting to Islam, lawyers said Thursday. The issue came to the fore in January when five secular activists known for their outspoken views against religious extremism and the powerful military disappeared, presumed abducted by state agencies according to opposition parties and international rights groups. Four of them were later returned to their families weeks later, but not before they were tarnished by a virulent campaign to paint them enemies of Islam deserving execution. Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court asked the government to form an investigative committee to report back next Monday over the issue, saying he could order social media sites to be blocked if offending content remained online. "The judge ordered the government to make a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) with Muslim officials only to look into the blasphemy issue," said advocate Tariq Asad, who represents the hardline Red Mosque which brought the case to court. Rights groups say the label of blasphemer is liberally applied by religious conservatives in order to silence criticism of extremism. Even unproven allegations can be fatal. At least 65 people including lawyers, judges and activists have been murdered by vigilantes over blasphemy allegations since 1990, according to recent think tank report. Pakistan previously banned Facebook for hosting allegedly blasphemous content for two weeks in 2010 while YouTube was unavailable from 2012 to 2016 over an amateur film about the Prophet Muhammad that led to global riots. But Islamabad later came to agreements with major internet firms to block within Pakistan material that violated its laws, generally once the companies had performed their own cross-checks. Yasser Latif Hamdani, a lawyer who worked to get YouTube unblocked, said previous web censorship had also originated with court orders and the judge could succeed in implementing a fresh set of bans. "In this case you would have to apply to the Supreme Court to overrule it. Would they? He`s going to couch it in religious language...It could create a lot of problems if he does that," he said. (AFP)

Pakistan judge threatens to block social media over 'blasphemy'

More than two weeks after they disappeared, two Pakistani activists have announced themselves safe to their families, The Dawn reported on Saturday.

Salman Haider and Ahmed Raza Naseer&#39;s disappearance along with three others earlier this month had sparked protests and fears of a government crackdown.

&ldquo;Salman has been in contact with the family. He is safe and in good health,&rdquo; his brother Zeeshan Haider told Dawn.

The days the activist were missing &quot;were the most painful period in my life,&quot; the relative told AFP, adding the returned blogger was now &quot;in (a) safe place for some days&quot;.

&ldquo;He (Naseer) told us there was nothing to worry about, but said that he could not come home yet,&rdquo; his brother, Tahir, told Dawn.

The five men ? who campaigned for human rights and religious freedom ? went missing from various cities between January 4 and 7, triggering nationwide protests. The interior minister had vowed to ensure the activists&#39; safety.

There is no information about the whereabouts of three others. No group claimed responsibility for their disappearance. The families of the activists were harassed through campaign on social media that attempted to malign their names.

Human Rights Watch and other rights groups said their near simultaneous disappearances raised concerns of government involvement, which officials and intelligence sources have denied, AFP said.

Earlier this month Shaan Taheer, son of Punjab governor Salman Taseer who was killed five years ago, received death threats after he posted a Facebook video asking for people to pray for those charged under Pakistan&#39;s blasphemy laws.

Pakistan charged more than 200 people under blasphemy laws in 2015, many of them minorities. The charge is hugely sensitive in deeply conservative Muslim Pakistan, where even unproven allegations have stirred mob lynchings and murder, according to AFP.

(With inputs from agencies)

The two men ? who campaigned for human rights and religious freedom ? went missing between January 4 and 7

More than two weeks after they disappeared, two Pakistani activists have announced themselves safe to their families, The Dawn reported on Saturday. Salman Haider and Ahmed Raza Naseer's disappearance along with three others earlier this month had sparked protests and fears of a government crackdown. “Salman has been in contact with the family. He is safe and in good health,” his brother Zeeshan Haider told Dawn. The days the activist were missing "were the most painful period in my life," the relative told AFP, adding the returned blogger was now "in (a) safe place for some days". “He (Naseer) told us there was nothing to worry about, but said that he could not come home yet,” his brother, Tahir, told Dawn. The five men ? who campaigned for human rights and religious freedom ? went missing from various cities between January 4 and 7, triggering nationwide protests. The interior minister had vowed to ensure the activists' safety. There is no information about the whereabouts of three others. No group claimed responsibility for their disappearance. The families of the activists were harassed through campaign on social media that attempted to malign their names. Human Rights Watch and other rights groups said their near simultaneous disappearances raised concerns of government involvement, which officials and intelligence sources have denied, AFP said. Earlier this month Shaan Taheer, son of Punjab governor Salman Taseer who was killed five years ago, received death threats after he posted a Facebook video asking for people to pray for those charged under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Pakistan charged more than 200 people under blasphemy laws in 2015, many of them minorities. The charge is hugely sensitive in deeply conservative Muslim Pakistan, where even unproven allegations have stirred mob lynchings and murder, according to AFP. (With inputs from agencies)

Missing Pakistani activists returned 'safe' two weeks after disappearance

Shaan Taheer, son of Punjab governor Salman Taseer who was&nbsp;killed five years ago, has received death threats after he posted a Facebook video asking for people to pray for those charged under Pakistan&#39;s blasphemy laws.

Taheer posted a video on his Facebook page wishing happy holidays to the Christians and asked for prayers for the woman and others exploited under the &quot;inhumane&quot; blasphemy laws.

Taheer on Monday said he received &quot;very credible death threats&quot; from supporters of the hardline Muslim philosophy that inspired his father&#39;s killer, bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri, Reuters reported.

&quot;They are sending me Mumtaz Qadri&#39;s photos with messages that there are several Mumtaz Qadris waiting for me,&quot; he told Reuters late on Monday.

Hardline Islamist movement Sunni Tehreek has&nbsp;called for mass protests if Shaan is not charged with blasphemy against Islam. Sunni Tehreek figure Mujahid Abdur Rasool told Reuters the group was in negotiations with the government over the case.

&quot;When we gave them a warning for protests, a delegation of Punjab government met us today,&quot; Rasool said, adding they had set a deadline of Tuesday for police to meet their demands, Reuters reported.

Reuters reported that the police report on the complaint had no mention of Shaan Taheer&#39;s name.

The police report did reference the Christmas message and opened an investigation the blasphemy laws&#39; Section 295-A, which bans hate speech against any religion, according to Reuters.

Salman Taseer was killed by his bodyguard for supporting Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death under the country&#39;s blasphemy laws. Salman had said that the laws needed to be changed. Blasphemy against Islam is punishable by death.

Qadri was sentenced to death for killing the governor last year. Thousands attended his funeral in March last year because they considered him a hero.

Pakistan charged more than 200 people under blasphemy laws in 2015, many of them minorities.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Shaan Taseer is accused of criticising the blasphemy laws, which is exactly what led to his father being gunned down by his bodyguard

Shaan Taheer, son of Punjab governor Salman Taseer who was killed five years ago, has received death threats after he posted a Facebook video asking for people to pray for those charged under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Taheer posted a video on his Facebook page wishing happy holidays to the Christians and asked for prayers for the woman and others exploited under the "inhumane" blasphemy laws. Taheer on Monday said he received "very credible death threats" from supporters of the hardline Muslim philosophy that inspired his father's killer, bodyguard Mumtaz Qadri, Reuters reported. "They are sending me Mumtaz Qadri's photos with messages that there are several Mumtaz Qadris waiting for me," he told Reuters late on Monday. Hardline Islamist movement Sunni Tehreek has called for mass protests if Shaan is not charged with blasphemy against Islam. Sunni Tehreek figure Mujahid Abdur Rasool told Reuters the group was in negotiations with the government over the case. "When we gave them a warning for protests, a delegation of Punjab government met us today," Rasool said, adding they had set a deadline of Tuesday for police to meet their demands, Reuters reported. Reuters reported that the police report on the complaint had no mention of Shaan Taheer's name. The police report did reference the Christmas message and opened an investigation the blasphemy laws' Section 295-A, which bans hate speech against any religion, according to Reuters. Salman Taseer was killed by his bodyguard for supporting Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death under the country's blasphemy laws. Salman had said that the laws needed to be changed. Blasphemy against Islam is punishable by death. Qadri was sentenced to death for killing the governor last year. Thousands attended his funeral in March last year because they considered him a hero. Pakistan charged more than 200 people under blasphemy laws in 2015, many of them minorities. (With inputs from Reuters)

Pakistan: 5 years after he was killed, hardliners call for Salman Taseer's son's death

Asia Bibi&#39;s blasphemy case was adjourned by Pakistan&#39;s Supreme Court after&nbsp;a judge refused to hear her final plea, the Pakistani media reported.&nbsp;

It is not clear when the hearing will commence, Pakistani daily Dawn reported, after&nbsp;one of the three-member bench Justice Iqbal Hamid-ur-Rehman decided to recuse as he had also heard the Salmaan Taseer murder case.&nbsp;

Former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was gunned down in public for supporting Bibi&#39;s cause.

Hundreds of security personnel had been deployed in and around the court in Islamabad ahead of the landmark judgement.&nbsp;

Asia Bibi, a Christian, has been on death row since 2010 for apparently desecrating Prophet Muhammad, an allegation she denies.

Her lawyers are seeking to repeal her death&nbsp;sentence.

In 2010, while Bibi was working on a farm with Muslim women, an argument broke out over a cup of water. The women complained to a local cleric that Bibi had insulted the Prophet.

Bibi was charged with blasphemy.&nbsp;

Bibi&#39;s&nbsp;daughters now live in seclusion fearing attack from angry villagers, AFP reported.&nbsp;

Her relatives claim she was framed as some people held a personal grudge against her.

Her husband has also written to Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain pleading for clemency and taking her to France, where she has been promised asylum.&nbsp;

If the verdict is in favour of Bibi, it could cause serious repercussions&nbsp;in the Muslim-majority country, as the hardliners in the country are demanding death for Bibi.&nbsp;

If Bibi is sentenced, she will be the first person to be legally executed for blasphemy, which will be a huge setback for minorities living in Pakistan, AFP reported.&nbsp;

Blasphemy is a serious offence in Pakistan and the maximum punishment is death.

Pakistan&#39;s blasphemy laws became &quot;Islamicised&quot; between 1980 and 1986 under General Zia-ul-Haq&#39;s regime. After partition, Pakistan adopted the law against religious offences set by the British in 1860. Zia&#39;s government added more clauses to the law, which include:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;In 1927, 295- A was added which stated remarks which outraged religious sentiments would receive imprisonment, which could be extended ten years and a fine.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>&nbsp;In 1982, 295-B was added for defiling or desecrating a copy of the Muslim holy book of Qur&#39;an, for which a person was given life imprisonment.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>&nbsp;In 1986, 295-C was included for insulting Prophet Muhammad.</li>
</ul>

(Source: <a href="http://www.pakistanblasphemylaw.com/?page_id=15">Pakistan Blasphemy Law</a>)

Between 1984 and 2004, 5,000 cases of blasphemy were registered and 964 people were charged and accused of blasphemy. Out of the 964 accused, 32 were killed by vigilantes.&nbsp;

Petitions have been signed to free Asia Bibi by people worldwide, which include &#39;Save Asia Bibi&#39; and &#39; A Call For Mercy&#39;. Benedict XVI, who became the first pope to resign in almost 600 years in 2013, also called for a&nbsp;pardon .&nbsp;

(WION)

 
&nbsp;

It is not clear when the hearing will commence after?one of the judges refused to hear Bibi's final plea

Asia Bibi's blasphemy case was adjourned by Pakistan's Supreme Court after a judge refused to hear her final plea, the Pakistani media reported. It is not clear when the hearing will commence, Pakistani daily Dawn reported, after one of the three-member bench Justice Iqbal Hamid-ur-Rehman decided to recuse as he had also heard the Salmaan Taseer murder case. Former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was gunned down in public for supporting Bibi's cause. Hundreds of security personnel had been deployed in and around the court in Islamabad ahead of the landmark judgement. Asia Bibi, a Christian, has been on death row since 2010 for apparently desecrating Prophet Muhammad, an allegation she denies. Her lawyers are seeking to repeal her death sentence. In 2010, while Bibi was working on a farm with Muslim women, an argument broke out over a cup of water. The women complained to a local cleric that Bibi had insulted the Prophet. Bibi was charged with blasphemy. Bibi's daughters now live in seclusion fearing attack from angry villagers, AFP reported. Her relatives claim she was framed as some people held a personal grudge against her. Her husband has also written to Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain pleading for clemency and taking her to France, where she has been promised asylum. If the verdict is in favour of Bibi, it could cause serious repercussions in the Muslim-majority country, as the hardliners in the country are demanding death for Bibi. If Bibi is sentenced, she will be the first person to be legally executed for blasphemy, which will be a huge setback for minorities living in Pakistan, AFP reported. Blasphemy is a serious offence in Pakistan and the maximum punishment is death. Pakistan's blasphemy laws became "Islamicised" between 1980 and 1986 under General Zia-ul-Haq's regime. After partition, Pakistan adopted the law against religious offences set by the British in 1860. Zia's government added more clauses to the law, which include: In 1927, 295- A was added which stated remarks which outraged religious sentiments would receive imprisonment, which could be extended ten years and a fine. In 1982, 295-B was added for defiling or desecrating a copy of the Muslim holy book of Qur'an, for which a person was given life imprisonment. In 1986, 295-C was included for insulting Prophet Muhammad. (Source: Pakistan Blasphemy Law) Between 1984 and 2004, 5,000 cases of blasphemy were registered and 964 people were charged and accused of blasphemy. Out of the 964 accused, 32 were killed by vigilantes. Petitions have been signed to free Asia Bibi by people worldwide, which include 'Save Asia Bibi' and ' A Call For Mercy'. Benedict XVI, who became the first pope to resign in almost 600 years in 2013, also called for a pardon . (WION)

Pakistan: Asia Bibi blasphemy case adjourned by top court