The editorial team at CUWAP NEWS is pleased to share a link with you to a recent, and a very timely, article by Mr Nasir Saeed. The writer is the UK director of CLASS and an expert on the various aspects of the Blasphemy Laws (295 A. B. & C.) of Pakistan. This is his latest assessment of the situation, regarding these laws, the most pressing and legally the most important challenge facing the minorities of Pakistan. This article was published in Daily Times, Lahore, on 29/12/2017.
To Read the article click:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/169465/blasphemy-21st-century/
Following is a brief synopsis of the contents of the so called blasphemy laws, and their prescribed penalties in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
| PPC | Description | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| § 298 | Uttering of any word or making any sound or making any gesture or placing of any object in the sight with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person. | 1 years imprisonment, or fine, or both |
| § 298A | Use of derogatory remarks etc., in respect of holy personages. 1980 | 3 years imprisonment, or fine, or both |
| § 298B | (Ahmadi blasphemy law) Misuse of epithets, descriptions and titles etc., reserved for certain holy personages or places, by Ahmadis. 26 April 1984 | 3 years imprisonment and fine |
| § 298C | (Ahmadi blasphemy law) (Aka Ordinance XX): f a Muslim, or preaching or propagating his faith, or "in any manner whatsoever" outraging the religious feelings of Muslims, or posing himself as a Muslim. 26 April 1984 | 3 years imprisonment and fine |
| § 295 | Injuring or defiling places of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class | Up to 2 years imprisonment or fine, or both |
| § 295A | Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. 1927 | Up to 10 years imprisonment, or fine, or both |
| § 295B | Defiling, etc., of Quran. 1982 | Imprisonment for life |
| § 295C | Use of derogatory remarks, spoken, written, directly or indirectly, etc. defiles the name of Muhammad 1986 | Mandatory Death and fine (Feb. 1990)
Trial must take place in a Court of Session with a Muslim judge presiding. |
(The above text is only for sharing information and promoting discussion and debate.)
© Akhtar Injeeli 01/01/2018