THE RECENT BRUTAL KILLING of a tourist in Swat over alleged Quran desecration has once again cast a harsh spotlight on Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. These laws, which originated during General Zia-ul-Haq’s era, are in dire need of a comprehensive overhaul. Zia, in his quest to appease religious hardliners and legitimize his regime, introduced stringent blasphemy regulations in the 1980s that have since become a tool for persecution and mob justice.
Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws have caused significantly more harm than benefit to our societal fabric. Rather than protecting religious sentiments, these laws have fostered a culture of mob violence and fatal lynchings, embedding religious extremism deeply into our daily lives. The persistent misuse of these laws to settle personal vendettas has undermined justice and fueled intolerance. It is imperative to either comprehensively reform these laws or abolish them altogether to protect human rights and promote societal harmony. Only through such decisive action can we hope to rebuild a more inclusive and peaceful society.
The case in Madyan is not an isolated incident. It is a symptom of the deeply entrenched fear and intolerance fostered by these laws. A mob attacking a police station, forcibly extracting a suspect, and setting him ablaze is a chilling manifestation of the law’s failure to protect citizens and uphold justice. Such incidents highlight the urgent need to critically examine the origins, applications, and consequences of these laws.
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General Zia-ul-Haq’s legacy is marred by his authoritarian rule and the institutionalisation of extremism. His blasphemy laws were less about protecting religious sentiments and more about consolidating power by aligning with the most conservative factions of society. These laws have since been wielded as weapons against minorities, dissenters, and even personal enemies, often with devastating consequences. The mere accusation of blasphemy, frequently without credible evidence, can lead to violence, social ostracism, and extrajudicial killings.
Zia’s era was characterised by the empowerment of religious clerics who were given unprecedented authority over the interpretation and enforcement of religious laws. This has led to a culture where these clerics often act with impunity, inciting violence and vigilantism. The recent case in Lahore, where a woman was attacked by a mob for wearing a dress with Arabic calligraphy, exemplifies how easily these clerics can incite violence over trivial misunderstandings. The dress in question bore the word “halwa,” meaning “sweet” in Arabic, but was mistakenly thought to contain Quranic verses.
Religious intolerance and extremism have deeply infiltrated Pakistan’s social fabric. Pakistan’s clerics wield disproportionate influence, often using their platforms to inflame passions and justify violence. This culture has been perpetuated by the state’s failure to hold these clerics accountable, allowing them to operate above the law. The tragic case of Salmaan Taseer, the former governor of Punjab, who was assassinated by his own bodyguard for opposing the blasphemy laws, is yet another stark reminder of the deadly consequences of this unchecked power.
The repercussions of Zia’s policies extend beyond individual tragedies. They have created a climate of fear and repression that stifles free speech and dissent. Activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens live under the constant threat of being accused of blasphemy, a charge that can be brought on by the slightest provocation or misunderstanding. The laws have become a convenient tool for silencing opposition and settling personal scores, with devastating effects on Pakistan’s social cohesion and international reputation.
The international community frequently criticizes Pakistan for these human rights violations, further isolating the country on the global stage. The misuse of blasphemy laws has attracted condemnation from human rights organisations worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for reform. Former prime minister Imran Khan’s administration initially supported the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. However, faced with violent protests and threats from the TLP, his government made concessions that included preventing Bibi from leaving the country, thus failing to provide her with adequate protection. This pattern of appeasement, followed by attempts at crackdown, underscores the government’s struggle to balance between upholding justice and placating extremist factions. As a result, Pakistan was ridiculed for its stance on the matter internationally.
This bleak reality stands in stark contrast to the vision of Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Jinnah envisioned Pakistan as a tolerant and inclusive nation, where people of all faiths could coexist peacefully. In his landmark speech on August 11, 1947, he declared, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the State”.
Jinnah’s vision was one of a secular state where religion would not dictate the affairs of governance or the rights of its citizens. However, the policies implemented by General Zia have perverted this vision, transforming Pakistan into a bastion of religious extremism and intolerance.
The way forward must involve a multi-faceted approach. Legal reforms are essential, starting with ensuring that accusations of blasphemy are thoroughly investigated and that the accused are protected from mob violence. There must be stringent penalties for false accusations and vigilantism. Additionally, public education campaigns are crucial to fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding. The government, civil society, and religious leaders must work together to dismantle the toxic legacy of Zia’s policies.
Reforming Pakistan’s blasphemy laws is not just a legal imperative; it is a moral one. The country must choose a path that upholds human rights, protects minorities, and champions justice. Only by confronting and addressing the abuses embedded in these laws can Pakistan hope to move towards a more inclusive and peaceful society. The tragic death in Swat and the harassment in Lahore should serve as wake-up calls, stark reminders of the cost of inaction, and rallying cries for meaningful change. The clerics who perpetuate these cycles of violence must be held accountable, and the shadow of General Zia’s regressive policies must be lifted for Pakistan to truly progress.
However, it is also imperative to note that if such draconian laws cannot be reformed, they must be abolished at the first instance. The persistent misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws has not only perpetuated a culture of mob violence and extrajudicial killings but has also deeply entrenched religious extremism into Pakistani society. The laws have been exploited to settle personal scores, leading to gross miscarriages of justice and widespread fear. If meaningful reforms cannot be implemented to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights and promote social harmony, the complete abolition of these laws becomes necessary to prevent further damage and restore justice in the society.
Pakistan, today, stands at a crossroads. It can either continue down the path of extremism and intolerance, or it can reclaim Jinnah’s vision of a free, inclusive, and tolerant nation. The choice is clear, but the will to make it happen remains to be seen.
