the blasphemy law or further elaboration of its definition and implication is a non-debatable issue in Pakistan
SIALKOT: Despite the ambiguity that surrounds the blasphemy law in Pakistan, getting lynched by a mob is a fate one is most vulnerable to, as a result of a slightest blasphemy accusation. Although the law carries a death sentence, for most of the cases the suspect does not make it to a fair trial through court under the law and is either mowed down, stabbed, shot or lynched. In a majority of the cases, the suspect only remains an accused and not a convict with the witnesses failing to provide any evidence supporting the blasphemous act itself. As a result, this completely rules out the possibility of the accusation being the result of a revengeful act or deep-rooted resentment the accuser might have held against the accused.
The blasphemy law or further elaboration of its definition and implication is a non-debatable issue in Pakistan, since as a matter of fact even the politicians who have tried to propose amendments to the law in the past, have been silenced with threats. There is no denying the fact that a religion must be granted protection against blasphemy, however, the law, additionally, must protect everyone, regardless of their religion, from being punished or killed till the time they are convicted of actually committing an act through a fair, legal trial. The said law must also protect the lawyers and the judiciary personnel taking up the case for the accused, as the fear tied up to such cases makes the judgment being given in favour of the accused least probable.
Maira Mazhar Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2017.
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