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LAHORE: A sessions court on Monday handed down the death sentence and imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on a blasphemy accused after charges were proved against him.
Additional sessions court Judge Naveed Iqbal issued the ruling in the case.
The accused, Zulfikar, was 'caught red-handed' while writing blasphemous remarks on the walls of Afghan Park in Lahore's Islampura area in 2008.
He was booked under blasphemy charges on a complaint filed by area residents.
The area residents had also claimed that the man used derogatory language at the time of the azaan (call for prayer).
Timeline: Accused under the blasphemy law
Though Pakistan has never carried out the death penalty for blasphemy, it is one of the countries to have the most people jailed over its blasphemy laws.
Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97 per cent of the 180 million population is Muslim and the law, with a lack of procedural safeguards, has contributed to an alarming number of mob attacks and vigilante violence over the issue.
Pakistan in the past has urged the United Nations to make blasphemy an internationally recognised offense.
— Tauqir Ghumman contributed to the reporting of this story
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On DawnNews
Comments (33) Closed
Jul 14, 2014 03:27pm
If someone utters nonsense against any religion how can it weaken one
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Jul 14, 2014 03:57pm
Pakistan is still living in the dark ages
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Jul 14, 2014 04:15pm
I can't believe for a second that any person in normal state of mind in Pakistan will commit blasphemy in public. It is very typical to get sentenced in session courts, so the judge can protect his life and then it will drag forever in the appeal process, while the accused and the family will suffer for the rest of their lives, while serving no purpose to the society or any individual.
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Jul 14, 2014 04:27pm
I would start with a mental evaluation of the man before putting him on trial. There have been cases of simple minded folks (for a lack of a better phrase) saying/doing something like this and ending up on the chopping block.
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Jul 14, 2014 04:28pm
Death sentence is too harsh; you cannot take life just for writing and uttering blasphemous remarks.
Jail sentence and fine should be appropriate, and this will also give chance the accuser to repent and ask for forgiveness
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Jul 14, 2014 04:32pm
So how about protecting dignity for other religions or followers of other religions?
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Jul 14, 2014 04:48pm
Ha ha ha. If these guys had their way, they would hang 80% of the world population.
Just say/do something wrong, and you are finished.
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Jul 14, 2014 04:50pm
Regarding the blasphemy laws in Pakistan,they appear to be very rough and tough...and do not include any room for human factor for consideration on both sides; the accused and the accuser are left at each other mercy. The laws require vigorous investigation and meticulousness analysis in the light of human factors to arrive at decision making point/judgement.Pakistani laws should be brought in line with the international standards which should be suitable and acceptable to all. The monopoly of one sect over the other is not the right way to impose such laws. We are fond of making stringent laws to control others.
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Jul 14, 2014 04:53pm
This is the Islamic Inquisition.
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Jul 14, 2014 06:12pm
What if someone is thinking blasphemous thoughts? Are you planning to do something about that?
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Jul 14, 2014 06:14pm
If speaking ill is bad how much worse is taking life just because some one has spoken ill. A civilized society can't have this law.
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Jul 14, 2014 07:26pm
What a joke.
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Jul 14, 2014 08:10pm
I yearn to hear something like Pakistani scientist have today discovered a cheaper alternative to electricity or fossil fuel.
All I hear is stories about this and that blasphemy case and that Pakistan feels extremely proud "it is one of the countries to have the most people jailed over its blasphemy laws."
Can we simply drop this crusade and come to the real world?
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Jul 14, 2014 08:10pm
So far in most of the cases acquisitions were based on personal grudges. I hope it was not the case in present decision.
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Jul 14, 2014 08:41pm
This is the best news for me. I hope that all the rapists and abusers of the children are given the death sentence.
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Jul 14, 2014 09:50pm
For God's sake Pakistanis wake up. You will never progress if you do not pull yourself out of dark ages. This law is against the spirit of Islam and should be repealed. All those just only recommending (behind the veil) comments like mine, please come out and speak loudly and be counted.
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Jul 14, 2014 10:07pm
We are the best example of collective nonsense.
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Jul 14, 2014 10:09pm
@SK What did you say? "dignity for other religions or followers of other religions?" Can somebody help me understand what does it mean?
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Jul 14, 2014 11:57pm
Why double standards? but we are blasphemous to other religions in many ways, Sadistic! the Prophet (PBUH) used to forgive such acts always.
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Jul 15, 2014 12:27am
A prophet who happily tolerated the woman throwing trash on his head everyday, his followers (???) cannot tolerate some words against him???
What kind of followers are they? Do they think killing in response to words, is real Islam?
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Jul 15, 2014 01:10am
In this day and age? Hard to believe we have become such an intolerant society.
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Jul 15, 2014 01:37am
Justice done, law withheld circa 905 AD. Bravo
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Jul 15, 2014 02:37am
@M J Syed
How is that against ISLAM? Please elaborate and enlighten us.
Infact, it is inline with the teachings. Anybody who questions the teachings or faith should be killed. Anybody who leaves ISLAM should be killed (is not that what is written in the book?)
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Jul 15, 2014 02:43am
Pakistan should launch a campaign to spread awareness about TOLERANCE. If we treat people like this, are not we complimenting the mentality of Taliban.
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Jul 15, 2014 02:53am
@Freeman Means we have double standards
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Jul 15, 2014 03:05am
@Harmony What do you mean by tolerance?
If somebody is performing his faith and you give him full space is called tolerance. or if somebody accused you personaly and you let him Go that is called tolerance
Tolerance does not mean that any one can utter nonsense about a particular Religion and that community do not say anything it is called cowardliness not tolerance.
I do not know what happen in this particular case but i am talking in common
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Jul 15, 2014 03:26am
An internationally recognized offense? We are beyond delusional if anything. Where are our morals when we value the life of a living human being over the one who died over a thousand years ago? So much for the religion of peace! This is disgusting!
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Jul 15, 2014 05:35am
Amazing! When everyone thought things can't be any worse here you go Pakistan. The country can't fight corruption, terrorism, nepotism and pretty much anything else but you showed Blasphemous who is the boss!
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Jul 15, 2014 05:39am
It's a shame. Blasphemy laws are inhuman, cruel, unjust and evil.
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Jul 15, 2014 05:58am
In a freedom of expression and democracy: Death sentence is too cruel; you cannot take life just for writing and uttering blasphemous remarks. Even prison sentence and penalty is unfortunate.
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Jul 15, 2014 05:40pm
@mahavir. If I read correctly the Book also says "there is no compulsion in religion" Original: La ikraaha fid din.
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Jul 16, 2014 06:17am
Proud to be part of a faith and tradition where you can utter any thing derogatory to your traditions and faith and not have government impose any penalty on me. That is true freedom of faith, not some insecure one that cannot hold its own without the adherents imposing the severest penalties or burning down and damaging public property.
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Jul 16, 2014 08:18am
You run after things that are not real and you ignore those things that are real.
Instead of focusing real problems facing the country we waste our resources on things that are not real issues of life.
Baba Bulleh Shah said that over 200 years ago and it is still true today.
S Khan
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