More than 150 houses of Christians living in the Joseph Colony were torched by an angry mob in March last year. PHOTO: REUTERS
Sawan Masih was convicted of committing blasphemy during the course of a conversation with a Muslim friend in March last year.
After allegations against Masih emerged, more than 3,000 people had rampaged through Joseph Colony, torching some 100 Christian homes.
Naeem Shakir, one of Masih's lawyers, told AFP that "the judge has announced the death sentence for Sawan Masih."
"We will appeal the sentence in the Lahore High Court."
The verdict and sentence were announced inside the jail where Masih was held, Shakir said.
Masih has maintained his innocence and argued that the real reason for the blasphemy allegation was a property dispute between him and his friend.
No one was killed in the rampage through Joseph Colony last year but the incident highlighted the sensitivity towards blasphemy.
A recent report from a US government advisory panel said Pakistan used blasphemy laws more than any other country in the world; listing 14 people on death row and 19 others serving life sentences.
In January 2014, an elderly Briton was sentenced to death for blasphemy, though his lawyers said the court failed to consider "overwhelming" evidence of his mental illness.
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So long as the blasphemy lawis there on the book such caseswill be there in abundance,I think Islam is notso weak that it rquire the help of such laws and poor Hindus Christians and Sikhs who are very small in numbers can not think about taking such steps which put their lieves in danger.
Does this man in the picture gets punishment who is throwing Charpai of a poor Christian ? i bet you NOT!
The hypocrisy and the shallowness of our legal system stands exposed........the biggest loser in this is Islam.
A recent report from a US government advisory panel said Pakistan used blasphemy laws more than any other country in the world; listing 14 people on death row and 19 others serving life sentences.
Off course,none of the killers of 50,000 Pakistanis will ever be executed. One man's testimony ,wrong or true,is enough for a blasphemy case.What a country !!! What are Pakistanis going to do about blasphemy perpetrated daily in the west.
The man in the picture who is venting his anger on a bed is very recognizable, just as others who were smiling for the camera's when they were looting the Christian homes and shops. Why have they not been tried in court? Double standard or completely no standard?
Why haven't the people who actually destroyed property and physically threatened others been arrested by the Pakistani police and tried by public persecutor?
And some Muslims ask why some non-Muslim stereotype all Muslims as living in the Middle Ages.
I'm not sure if Pakistanis will ever grow up to be fit to live in an evolved world .
As usual, the lower court has gone with the populist, Islamist stance on a sensitive blasphemy case and kicked the ball down the road to the High Court. While no one accused of blasphemy has actually ever been hanged in the country due thankfully to the relative isolation of the superior judiciary from mob sentiments, these blasphemy laws will continue to bedevil Pakistan as long as they are on the statute books and local courts remain susceptible to fear of or coercion by violent extremists.
Any day of the year, I would trust the testimony of a non Muslim over the testimony of Muslims. Period.
So how many of the rioters got punishment?