Peshawar: On November 19, 2024, Pakistani police arrested a man accused of blasphemy in Khazana, near Peshawar, and saved him from a lynching by an enraged mob. The accused, Humayun Ullah, allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Quran during a heated argument with his brother at their family home. As news of the alleged blasphemy spread, a large crowd gathered, threatening to take matters into their own hands.
The mob, some armed with stones and sticks, stormed the streets and surrounded the local police station where Ullah was held. They demanded that the accused be handed over to them for immediate punishment. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots near the police station, and the crowd threatened to burn it down if their demands were not met.
Police acted swiftly to prevent the situation from spiraling into violence. Officers took Ullah into protective custody and secured the area. Senior officials called for reinforcements to manage the escalating situation. After hours of negotiations, police managed to disperse the crowd without bloodshed, though tensions in the area remain high.
The incident is part of a disturbing trend in Pakistan, where blasphemy accusations often lead to mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and destruction of property. Human rights activists have long criticized the country’s blasphemy laws for enabling such incidents.
Adding to the urgency of reform, the United Nations Human Rights Committee, in its November 7 report, strongly urged Pakistan to repeal or amend its blasphemy laws. The committee expressed grave concerns about sections 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carry severe penalties, including the death penalty, and disproportionately affect religious minorities.
The UN report highlighted that false blasphemy accusations often lead to mob violence, fostering a culture of vigilante justice. It also pointed out the misuse of cybercrime laws, such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, to prosecute individuals accused of online blasphemy. These cases have had a chilling effect on freedom of expression, particularly for journalists, activists, and members of minority communities.
The Human Rights Committee emphasized the need for prompt and fair trials, noting the high number of blasphemy-related incarcerations and prolonged pretrial detentions. It also raised concerns about the safety of individuals accused of blasphemy, particularly those in police custody, who are often subjected to solitary confinement and abuse.
The committee also called attention to the growing violence and discrimination against religious minorities in Pakistan. It cited the destruction of worship places, as seen in the high-profile Jaranwala attack in August 2023, where dozens of Christian homes and churches were vandalized.
In the case of Humayun Ullah, police confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated under the blasphemy laws. However, human rights groups have criticized the lack of measures to protect individuals accused of blasphemy, calling for greater accountability and reforms to prevent mob violence.
This latest incident adds to the mounting pressure on the Pakistani government to address the misuse of blasphemy laws and ensure the protection of all citizens, regardless of their faith. As international scrutiny intensifies, the government faces a critical moment to reform laws that have long been a source of division and violence in the country.
