Unveiling a Blasphemy Scheme: The Hidden Ordeal in Pakistan
The shadow of false blasphemy charges looms large over Pakistan, with an Islamist group ensnaring more than 450 individuals in recent years. Human rights lawyers have revealed that this scheme has led to the death of five people in custody due to torture.
At a press briefing in Islamabad on January 10, attorneys Usman Warraich, Imaan Hazir-Mazari, and Rana Abdul Hameed exposed the operations of this “blasphemy business group,” which has exploited families in collaboration with federal investigators. Christians, often targeted by such accusations, are particularly vulnerable to this group’s tactics.
The group allegedly shares blasphemous content online, files false charges, and extorts money from the families of the accused. This was corroborated by a report from the Punjab Police’s Special Branch, which identified an organized gang behind the surge in cases.
The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) echoed these findings in an October report, highlighting the involvement of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in trapping innocent people. The report noted that most victims come from lower-income or middle-class backgrounds. Warraich disclosed that more than 150 individuals are detained in Adiala District Jail, 170 in Lahore, and 55 in Karachi Central Jail.
The gang recruits young men and women to befriend targets on social media, luring them to a “safe-house” in Islamabad. Victims are then stripped, tortured, and videotaped, according to Warraich. “There are about 25 to 30 people associated with this gang who became plaintiffs after trapping youths from all over Pakistan,” he said.
Five Muslims, including Fatima Jahangir, a 22-year-old woman, died from torture inflicted by the group. Warraich recounted stories of victims such as Syed Ali Hasnain, who was killed in Adiala Jail, and Safeer Ullah, who lost his life in Camp Jail, Lahore.
The gang celebrates publicly when courts deny bail or convict victims, even distributing sweets and sharing victim information online to incite harassment. In courtrooms, they exert pressure on judges by intimidating families and shouting slogans.
Supreme Court Advocate Rana Abdul Hameed criticized the judiciary’s integrity due to such false blasphemy cases. “These cases are not only baseless but also a stain on the judiciary,” he said. Hameed described the group as a profit-driven syndicate exploiting families through fear.
Imaan Hazir-Mazari remarked on the systemic failure to address false blasphemy charges, stating, “The courts, except in Sindh Province, lack the courage to hear these cases.”
Families of victims shared harrowing stories of extortion and intimidation. Saeeda Bibi, mother of a visually impaired accused, recounted how FIA officials demanded a bribe despite her son’s innocence.
Despite raising these issues to government authorities, no action has been taken. The attorneys and victims’ families have called for an independent investigative commission and a halt to proceedings until investigations conclude.
They urged the judiciary to ensure fair trials and curb the contemptuous behavior of the blasphemy business group in courtrooms.
Pakistan remains one of the most challenging places for Christians, ranking seventh on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
