An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced a Christian individual to death, alleging that he shared a social media post which is claimed to have incited riots in Jaranwala, a city in Punjab, Pakistan, in August of the previous year, as reported by Dawn.
Following claims of desecration of the Holy Quran, mobs vandalized and looted numerous Christian residences and approximately 20 churches in Jaranwala.
The judge, Ziaullah Khan, delivered the verdict, sentencing the young man to 22 years of imprisonment and levying a fine of 10 lakh Pakistani Rupees, according to Dawn.
Blasphemy allegations in Pakistan are a highly sensitive and contentious issue, often leading to severe outcomes such as violence and death. Blasphemy accusations are commonly used to settle personal vendettas, target religious minorities, or provoke communal discord.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has noted many instances of false blasphemy claims over the years, which have disproportionately impacted minority groups such as Christians and Ahmadi Muslims.
In Pakistan, blasphemy cases typically occur in an environment of fear and intimidation, with inadequate legal protections for those accused.
