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BOWING to pressure from an extremist Islamic party— Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)—the Pakistan government has agreed to prosecute blasphemy suspects under terrorism charges, in addition to the other sections of the country’s penal code.

According to The Times of India Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the government has accepted “all legitimate” demands of the TLP, especially on blasphemy laws.

In a 12-point agreement signed earlier this month with the TLP, the federal government agreed to not only to prosecute “blasphemers” under existing blasphemy laws—among the harshest in the world—but also under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997.

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Sanaullah, above, promised that:

Speedy trials of the blasphemy accused will be ensured. For the first time, a Counter Blasphemy Wing (CBW) will be established under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Sanaullah added that the government would also ensure steps to block blasphemous content on social media.

Move worries a Supreme Court lawyer and others

The Christian Post today (Friday) reported on concerned reactions to the government’s shameful capitulation.

It quoted Supreme Court justice Asad Jamal as saying that putting blasphemy under the anti-terror law could jeopardise Pakistan’s European Union GSP Plus status, which calls for improving the human rights situation in the country, including stopping the abuse of blasphemy laws.

Such surrenders [by the government] embolden religious forces to abuse the laws with more vigor and impunity, I hope the government realizes the consequences of this agreement with TLP and instead works to curb the false accusations of blasphemy which have tarnished the image of Pakistan globally.

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Peter Jacob, above, Executive Director of the Lahore-based Center for Social Justice, said the agreement was reached without any negotiations with representatives of rights and minorities, and it lacks a depth of understanding of the issues.

The Voice Society Chief Executive Aneeqa Maria said:

If a blasphemy accused is tried under anti-terrorism laws in Pakistan, it would have significant impact and consequences on the victims.

By associating blasphemy with terrorism, the accused may face limited legal protections and an increased risk of violence or vigilante attacks against them.

With blasphemy included under the anti-terrorism laws, suspects may face a compromised judicial process, including unfair trials, she said.

She agreed that accusations of blasphemy already carry a high risk of violence and vigilantism in Pakistan.

Trying blasphemy cases under anti-terrorism laws could further escalate this risk, as it would be seen as a matter of national security.

The accused, their lawyers, their families, and their communities could become targets of violence and threats from extremist groups or individuals who believe they are defending religious sensitivities.

Joseph Jansen of advocacy group Voice for Justice said the addition of terrorism charges will make blasphemy suspects more vulnerable as they would more often face death or life imprisonment with a fine as punishment than they do under the blasphemy statutes.

It will only strengthen the controversial laws and support arbitrary detentions, making the victims more vulnerable. It puts the prospect of a fair trial in question, thus violating our international treaties.

He added that it was unfortunate that Pakistani governments have continued to capitulate to mobs in favour of laws misused for personal vendettas.

Almost 2,000 have been charged with blasphemy in Pakistan in 33 years

Ar least 1,949 persons were accused of violating the country’s blasphemy laws between 1987 and 2021, according to the Center for Social Justice. A large number of these blasphemy cases are still awaiting justice.

As of May 15, 57 cases of alleged blasphemy were reported this year. Punjab Province tops the list with 28 cases, followed by Sindh Province with 16, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province with 8 and Kashmir Province with 5.

In January, the National Assembly passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, increasing punishment for insulting Muhammad’s companions, wives and family members from three years to ten years and a fine of 1 million rupees ($3,480).

The CP report coincides with news that dozens of protesters stormed the compound of the Swedish embassy in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, after a Quran was burnt during a protest in Sweden.

Salwan Momika, said to be an Iraqi living in Sweden, set fire to a copy of Islam’s holy book outside Stockholm’s central mosque on Wednesday.

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