In a contentious decision, Special Judge Ziaullah Khan of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Sahiwal sentenced a Christian boy to death for allegedly spreading a social media message that sparked rioting in Jaranwala. The decision, issued Monday, includes a 22-year jail sentence and a Rs1 million fine.
The young man was accused of posting blasphemous information on TikTok, which sparked a violent attack in Jaranwala. Following reports that a copy of the Holy Quran had been desecrated, crowds damaged dozens of Christian houses and around 20 churches.
Sub-Inspector Amir Farooq of the Dera Rahim Police Station filed the complaint. Following intelligence tips, authorities detained the suspects three days after the clashes. According to Farooq, who is now the SHO of the Ghala Mandi police station, the young man did not create the blasphemous information but rather shared it, which caused it to go viral.
The final judgment outlined multiple punishments, including a death sentence and a Rs500,000 fine under Section 295(C), ten years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 295(A), seven years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, and five years in addition to a Rs500,000 fine under Section 7(1)(G) of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
This case has renewed debate over Pakistan's blasphemy laws and their repercussions. According to a police investigation, a Faisalabad ATC recently acquitted two Christian brothers who were accused of desecration owing to personal enmity.
The harshness of the sentence and the subsequent violence highlight the combustible nature of blasphemy allegations in Pakistan, emphasizing the critical need for legislative changes and protections for religious minorities.