Three cases agitate the moral sense of the authorities and recreate the issue of abuses related to the social media blasphemy in Pakistan. The first gravely concerned a doctor, Shah Nawaz Kumbhar, originally from Umerkot in the Province of Sindh, accused of sharing blasphemous contents on social media reportedly, and were published by a fake Facebook account.
The second terribly concerned a 52-year-old hotel owner, Abdul Ali, was shot and killed by a police officer in the city of Quetta in the Province of Balochistan. He was under Police custody on blasphemy allegations. He was arrested a day earlier for reportedly posting derogatory comments on social media about Muhammad, the Prophet Islam.
The third seriously concerned a Christian nurse, Shagufta Kiran, 40-years-old, mother of four children, punished with the death sentence after a judge convicted her under Section 295-C for insulting Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Reportedly, she was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on July 29, 2021, in Islamabad for allegedly sharing blasphemous content in a WhatsApp group in September 2020. Her husband and two sons were also taken into custody but later they were set free.
Reportedly at least seven persons accused of blasphemy have been killed by individuals or mobs across Pakistan since January. A total of 94 people accused of blasphemy were killed in mob attacks since 1994.
In Pakistan, social media blasphemy has become a contentious issue, particularly with the use of digital platforms to target minority communities, especially Christians. Some individuals exploit the anonymity of social media to create and share provocative content that disparages Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, often with the intent to incite outrage to harm the target. This deliberate provocation not only jeopardizes the safety of Christians but also reinforces a cycle of hostility and violence, as accusations of blasphemy can lead to severe legal repercussions and social ostracism. The manipulation of social media in this manner poses a significant challenge to interfaith harmony and freedom of expression in the country.
Religion freedom in Pakistan is severely constrained by the blasphemy laws, which impose harsh penalties for any perceived disrespect towards Islam and its figures. These laws foster an environment of fear and repression, particularly for religious minorities like Christians, who face harassment and violence over accusations of blasphemy. The misuse of these laws not only stifles individual expression and belief but also exacerbates societal divisions, making it difficult for people to practice their faith openly and safely. As a result, genuine religious freedom remains a distant hope for many in the country.
Sardar Mushtaq Gill, a prominent human rights advocate and founder of LEAD Ministries, has been vocal about the dangers of social media blasphemy in Pakistan. He emphasizes how the misuse of digital platforms to spread inflammatory content can incite violence and deepen societal divisions, particularly against religious minorities. Gill has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the consequences of such blasphemy accusations, often leading to dire repercussions for innocent individuals. Through his efforts, he seeks to promote tolerance and interfaith dialogue, aiming to protect vulnerable communities from the pervasive threats posed by hate speech and misinformation in the digital age as he himself suffered and victim of such social media hate speech and misinformation.
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