Pakistani court sentences four to death for blasphemy
(AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad, File) The Associated Press
A court in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, has sentenced four people to death on Saturday for blasphemy, marking another high-profile case under the country’s strict anti-blasphemy laws.
The defendants were accused of posting sacrilegious material on social media, targeting Islamic religious figures and the Quran.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, introduced in the 1980s, mandate severe punishments for any perceived insults to Islam or its sacred texts.
While no execution for blasphemy has been carried out to date, accusations often lead to mob violence, societal reprisals, and a climate of fear surrounding such cases.
Presiding Judge Tariq Ayub ruled that blasphemy, disrespect towards holy figures, and desecration of the Quran are “unforgivable offenses,” warranting the harshest penalty.
The court also imposed collective fines totaling 4.6 million rupees (approximately $16,500) and additional prison sentences should the death penalties be overturned by a higher court.
The defendants’ lawyer, Manzoor Rahmani, condemned the ruling, highlighting the lack of substantive evidence in the case.
He suggested that courts may feel pressured to convict in blasphemy cases to avoid potential backlash or violence from religious groups.
“We are preparing appeals and will challenge this decision in the High Court,” Rahmani stated, emphasizing concerns over due process and judicial independence in such sensitive matters.
Critics of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws argue that they are frequently misused to settle personal scores, persecute minorities, or suppress dissent.
Accusations can provoke violent mob reactions, and judges who acquit defendants often face threats.
