From Attack to Appeal: The Jaranwala Blasphemy Case Verdict Breakdown - Faith & Freedom News

Pakistan Court Sentences Man to Death in Jaranwala Blasphemy Case

By Khurram Ali Raza | Faisalabad, Pakistan

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Faisalabad has sentenced a Christian man to death under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws, reigniting national debate over minority rights and religious freedom in the country.

On Friday, Pervaiz (alias Kodu Masih) was sentenced to death under Section 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death penalty for defiling the Holy Quran. The verdict stems from the violent Jaranwala attacks of August 2023, where mobs targeted Christian communities following blasphemy allegations.

Court Verdict Details

Section 295-C (defiling the Holy Quran): Death sentence plus Rs 2 million fine
Section 295-A (deliberate insult to religion): 10 years imprisonment plus Rs 1 million fine
Section 295 (general blasphemy): Life imprisonment
Total Fine: Rs 3.5 million (approximately $12,500 USD)

Two co-accused, Daud William Masih and Shahid Aftab (alias Boby Masih), were acquitted due to benefit of doubt.

The Jaranwala Violence

The case originates from the devastating attacks on August 16, 2023, when hundreds of people stormed Jaranwala’s Christian neighborhood after allegations that Quranic pages were desecrated near the home of two Christian brothers.

The violence resulted in:

Five churches torched
Multiple homes attacked
Assistant commissioner’s office targeted
Thousands displaced from their homes
Seven-day ban on gatherings imposed under Section 144

The caretaker prime minister ordered a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the violence, highlighting the severity of the incident and its impact on Pakistan’s Christian community.

Minority Rights Under Pressure

Pakistan’s Christian community, already facing significant challenges, continues to bear the brunt of blasphemy allegations. Pakistan ranks 8th on the World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution.

Key Concern: While Pakistan’s blasphemy laws carry mandatory death sentences, no state execution has been carried out for blasphemy. However, alleged offenders often face extrajudicial violence or spend years on death row.

The case has also drawn attention to the plight of other religious minorities, including the Ahmadi community, constitutionally declared non-Muslim, who face regular persecution and violence.

Legal and Political Ramifications

Lawyer Tahir Bashir, who has survived an assassination attempt while representing blasphemy cases, has filed an appeal in the High Court. He describes the verdict as “another chapter in the ongoing persecution” of Christians in Pakistan.

The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party continues to mobilize supporters for violent protests against any perceived “softening” of blasphemy laws, creating a climate of fear among religious minorities.

Path Forward

Legal experts and human rights advocates are calling for comprehensive reforms, including:

Strengthening evidentiary standards in blasphemy cases
Protecting judges, lawyers, and witnesses from intimidation
Promoting interfaith dialogue to counter misinformation
Reviewing blasphemy laws to prevent misuse
Enhanced international monitoring of religious freedom

As the appeal process unfolds, this case will likely influence both domestic debates on minority protections and international perceptions of Pakistan’s commitment to human rights and religious freedom.

International Attention: The verdict has drawn criticism from human rights organizations worldwide, with calls for Pakistan to reform its blasphemy laws and better protect religious minorities.