Blasphemy Claims: Punjab Worst Hit with 179 Accusations in 2023

News Desk
Lahore: As many as 329 individuals were purportedly accused of blasphemy in 2023. Among them, 247 were identified as Muslims, 65 as Ahmadis, 11 as Christians, and one as Hindu, while the religious affiliation of 5 individuals remains unknown.
Punjab emerged as the most affected province, with 179 accusations, followed by Sindh with 79, Azad Jammu and Kashmir with 37, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with 32, and one accusation each in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.
This was revealed by the data compiled by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) on Tuesday.
Tragically, seven people fell victim to extrajudicial killings in 2023, including four in Punjab and one each in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).
The CSJ, represented by Wajahat Masood and Peter Jacob, expressed profound concern over the escalating misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, particularly in response to recent legal decisions and the distressing incident involving intimidation of a woman in Ichhra, Lahore.
The statement highlighted that between 1994 and 2023, a total of 95 extrajudicial killings had occurred, with only Mumtaz Qadri being punished. This grim reality underscores the urgent need to address deficiencies in existing laws and combat religious intolerance.
Furthermore, data spanning from 1987 to 2023 reveals that 2,449 individuals were accused of blasphemy, with Muslims comprising the largest group at 1,279, followed by Ahmadis, Christians, and Hindus.
Punjab accounted for the majority of cases at 72 percent, followed by Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), Islamabad, Balochistan, and Gilgit Baltistan.
The CSJ cited information from the Punjab Prison Department indicating that as of February 13, 2024, there were 587 prisoners held under sections 295-A, B, and C of the PPC in various Punjab jails. Among them, 515 were under trial, including 508 males, six females, and 1 juvenile prisoner.
In response to a recent incident in Lahore involving a woman falsely accused of blasphemy, the CSJ commended the swift action taken by Punjab police to ensure her safety. However, the subsequent public apology by the woman underscored the severe risk posed by unchecked mob violence.

The CSJ urged the incoming government to establish a commission of inquiry under the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956, tasked with investigating the misuse of blasphemy laws.
This commission should delve into the scale and motives behind such cases to ensure justice and protect innocent lives.
Addressing the root causes of these issues and promoting a culture of tolerance and social harmony in Pakistan are deemed crucial.