A government concession to demands by a Muslim extremist political party to allow blasphemy charges under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws has raised fears of more injustice for those accused under the harsh statutes, sources said.
The agreement signed June 17 would allow blasphemy cases to be tried under the country’s anti-terrorism law.
It stipulates that punishment under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997 would apply to suspects charged with committing blasphemy under the Pakistan Penal Code’s Section 295-C against making derogatory remarks about Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.
Calls for speedy trials, swift appeals
The government also agreed to establish a “Counter Blasphemy Wing” under the Federal Investigation Agency to take action against dissemination of “blasphemous content” on the internet. In addition, the agreement calls for speedy trials of blasphemy suspects, as well as a swift appeals process.
A Muslim lawyer of the Supreme Court, Asad Jamal, said that derogatory remarks about Muhammad under Section 295-C do not fall under the definition of terrorism, and that the purpose of the ATA is to curb sectarianism.
“295-C relates to hurting of religious sentiments as a result of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad, whereas Section 7 of ATA is specifically for acts wherein the general public feels terrorized by violence,” Jamal told Morning Star News. “It warrants a question here of how can an accused instigate the masses and simultaneously also terrorize them? Going ahead with any move to amend the ATA to include Section 295-C will only worsen the human rights situation in Pakistan.”
Closer look
Jamal added that putting blasphemy under the anti-terror law could jeopardize 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.
For the agreement to take effect, the government must amend the ATA through parliament, for which it is working on draft amendments.
Blasphemy against Muhammad is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and conviction requires little legal evidence.
Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Morning Star News.
