Amendment to Pakistan's Blasphemy Law Raises Concerns for Religious Minorities and Promotes Violence

Pakistan's parliament recently amended its blasphemy law, making it more stringent and sparking concerns among religious minorities. The Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, which was passed on January 17, increased the punishment for insulting the Prophet's companions, wives, and family members to 10 years in prison and a fine of 1 million rupees. The amendment has been met with criticism from Christian leaders and rights groups who fear that it could lead to human rights abuses and target religious minorities. Peter Jacob, executive director of the Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice, called the amendment an unfortunate development and questioned why it was necessary. He pointed out that the existing blasphemy law already stipulates death for convicts and has been associated with mob violence.

Blasphemy laws in Pakistan have been a sensitive issue, with mere allegations leading to extrajudicial killings and mob violence. Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, a prominent critic of the law, was assassinated by his bodyguard in 2011. Christian groups have been calling for the repeal of the blasphemy law, arguing that it is often misused by Muslims to settle petty quarrels with Christians. Critics of the amendment also argue that it is aimed at targeting Shias and Ahmadis, two Islamic sects considered non-Muslim in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Nadeem Anthony, a human rights lawyer, warned that the amendment could encourage religion-based hatred and violence. He urged lawmakers to focus on addressing the country's economic and political issues instead.

The amendment comes at a time when Pakistan is facing a political crisis following the ousting of Prime Minister Imran Khan in a no-confidence vote. The country is set to hold a general election this year, and observers believe that the government's populist moves could be motivated by the fear of upsetting Sunni voters. The recent incident in Jaranwala, where an angry mob targeted churches and Christian homes, highlights the concerns surrounding religiously motivated violence in Pakistan. The incident occurred two years after a Sri Lankan man accused of blasphemy was brutally killed by a mob in Sialkot.

In both cases, the perpetrators chose mob assaults, taking advantage of gaps in the legal system. These mob attacks not only cause physical damage but also leave lasting trauma on the victims. The economic losses suffered by minority communities further exacerbate their plight. Since Pakistan made blasphemy a capital offence, the frequency of religiously motivated violence has increased, demanding urgent intervention to address the rising violence, intolerance, and hostility against religious and sectarian minority groups.