Investigation into misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws halted amidst backlash

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have often been used to target Christians and other minorities. There was hope of an investigation into its misuse, but this has since been dashed.

Christians and other minorities in Pakistan have been dealt a blow after an investigation into the misuse of the country’s blasphemy laws was suspended following a furious backlash.

Last month, Justice Ishaq Khan of Islamabad’s High Court ordered the government to open an investigation into abuse of the law. It came after a confidential police report titled “The Blasphemy Business” exposed criminal networks that had falsely accused young people of blasphemy for financial gain. 

The report – which has rocked Pakistan’s political establishment – revealed that fake social media accounts were luring young men into conversations involving blasphemous content, trapping hundreds of victims whose parents were then forced to pay bribes to have police charges dropped.

The rackets have snared over 450 victims since 2021, according to an investigation by Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission. Lawyers representing families have documented arrests, disappearances and evidence of torture in police custody.

Scrutiny met with opposition

It’s unclear to what extent the report’s figure includes Christians, but Pakistan has had a long history of blasphemy accusations targeting religious minorities. The laws carry a death sentence, but in reality this seldom happens. However, accusations can lead to violence and even murder.

“There is a growing realisation that blasphemy laws are used to exploit vulnerable people and religious minorities,” explains Thomas Mueller*, a persecution analyst for Open Doors. “Blasphemy claims are used for land grabs, targeting business rivals and criminal extortion.”

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News of the investigation was met with relief and hope by Christians and other minorities, but they have since been dashed following an intense backlash.

Media outlets reported that members of the religious Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan party were publicly attacking the ruling and using angry language to rally opposition to it. Meanwhile, lawyers acting for the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party were reported to be in court challenging the order. On July 24, amidst fears of the hostility turning violent, Justice Khan’s order was suspended.

Dismay – but a ray of hope?

Christian lawyers have expressed dismay over the move. “Justice was finally being given a fighting chance, but suspending it now serves no one but the predators,” one told the media, preferring not to be named.

“This suspension follows a familiar pattern in Pakistan,” adds Mueller. “Historically, attempts to reform blasphemy laws have been quickly shut down by violent protests from radical Islamic groups. The real test is still ahead, as social change in Pakistan moves slowly.”

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The decision to halt the investigation is yet another blow to Pakistan’s Christians. The one ray of hope is that the police report has opened new territory in the long-running debate over the blasphemy laws, exposing uncomfortable truths for Pakistan’s political establishment, and revealing a human rights crisis and the vulnerability of minorities.

Please join us in praying that scrutiny of the laws will deepen, compelling the authorities to an investigation that is long overdue.