Syndicates in Pakistan are still active, trapping numerous individuals in blasphemy cases to extort money, as per a recent report. The National Commission for Human Rights in Pakistan revealed that over 450 people, mostly men, have been ensnared over the years, with 10 being Christians, five of whom died in custody.
The Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News reported that the Islamabad High Court directed the government to form a commission to probe the misuse of blasphemy laws after a petition from 101 affected families. However, an appellate bench later halted the investigation temporarily.
The Cyber Crime Wing of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has also been implicated in fabricating false charges in several instances, the report noted. Case studies, including that of Amir Shehzad, a 33-year-old rickshaw driver, shed light on the operations of these blasphemy gangs.
Shehzad vanished from Lahore after leaving to pick up a parcel following a phone call. Days later, his family was informed by the FIA that he had been arrested for sharing blasphemous content on Facebook. The report highlighted the plight of Shehzad’s family and others who have fallen victim to the ‘blasphemy gang’.
Reports have underscored Pakistan’s intensified persecution of minorities through its controversial blasphemy laws. Recently, a court sentenced an Ahmadi community member to life imprisonment for using the title “Hafiz” and distributing Quranic translations and commentary within his community.
