Blasphemy Case: Four Sentenced to Death for Offensive Remarks About Quran in Pakistan

Blasphemy Case: Four Sentenced to Death for Offensive Remarks About Quran in Pakistan

Multan, Pakistan: A Pakistani court has sentenced four individuals to death on charges of blasphemy. The accusations allege that they shared objectionable posts on social media about Islamic religious figures and the Quran. The defendants’ lawyer has announced plans to appeal the verdict.

Judge Tariq Ayub of the Rawalpindi court stated in his ruling that blasphemy, disrespect toward sacred figures, and desecration of the Quran are unforgivable crimes, and no leniency can be shown in such cases.

In addition to the death sentence, the court imposed a fine of 4.6 million rupees (approximately $16,500). If the higher court overturns the death penalty, the defendants are still set to serve prison sentences.

Defense lawyer Manzoor Rahmani criticized the ruling and the investigative process, saying, “Doubts and ambiguities that arise in such cases are often ignored by the court. It seems the defendants were not acquitted due to concerns over religious backlash and potential mob violence against the judge.”

Pakistan's blasphemy laws were introduced in the 1980s, making it a punishable offense to insult Islam or its religious figures. Critics argue that the law is frequently misused to settle personal scores.

Lawyer Rahmani confirmed that they will file an appeal against the verdict in the higher courts.