Photo: Wikipedia / Vivek Ravikumar (cc)
While accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan are common and can be motivated by interpersonal conflicts or business disputes, there has been a nofigure increase in allegations based on social media posts. (To read previously published reports about Christians who have been charged with blasphemy, go to our country profile.)
According to the research findings of the AFP news agency, many such cases are taking place as a result of organized "vigilante groups" led by lawyers and the support of volunteers scouring the Internet for offenders. In some cases, unsuspecting social media participants are duped by strangers into sharing content that could be deemed blasphemous, resulting in police reports being filed against them.
For example, a man joined a WhatsApp group in search of a job. He was contacted by a woman who sent him objectionable images. When he confronted her, she denied sending the images and asked him to forward them to her – falsely stating that by doing so, she would then know what he was talking about. After sending her the images, he was the one accused of sharing blasphemous content.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) states that there are groups working to "witch-hunt" people, sometimes fabricating evidence due to "vested agendas." Pakistan's National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) reports that, as of July 25th, a total of 767 people accused of blasphemy were being detained in jails across the country; compared to 213 in 2023, and 64 in 2022. The reasons why these vigilante groups are involved tend to vary. One police report suggests that some of the accusers are motivated by financial gains.
A group known as the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan proudly reports that they are prosecuting more than 300 cases, believing that their "God has chosen them for this noble cause." Sharaz Ahman Farooqi, who leads the group, was the complainant in a case that led to the conviction of a Christian woman named Shagufta Kiran this past September. (More details on her case are available here.) Another group has been responsible for the eventual conviction of 27 people over the past three years. For those who are found guilty, convictions of blasphemy carry a mandatory life imprisonment or death sentence.
In its report on the situation, the NCHR is calling for a "comprehensive review" of the roles and accountability of both government and private entities. In addition to concerns over the startling increase of false accusations, the growing number of cases has led to severe overcrowding in prison areas that are reserved for those accused of blasphemy.
Pray that Pakistan's governing leaders would respond appropriately by taking necessary action against the members of "vigilante groups" whose aim is to destroy the lives of fellow citizens by accusing them of blasphemy. For those of our Christian family who are presently contending with such allegations, please pray that they will receive greatly needed legal assistance and advocacy so their cases could be justly rejected or overturned. Also remember the many believers who have been imprisoned over the years, asking the Lord to likewise provide them and their loved ones the protection, strength, encouragement and hope that's needed each day so they can stand firm in their faith and thus testify of His sustaining power and grace.
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