FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

USCIRF Gravely Concerned about the Rise in Blasphemy Cases Leading to Mob Violence in Pakistan

Washington, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is troubled by the sharp rise in blasphemy cases and mob violence in recent months targeting Shi’a Muslims in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Province.

“Firm action needs to be taken against mob violence and vigilantism targeting the Shiite communities,” said USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava. “The Pakistani government is responsible for ensuring the rights, safety, and security of all its citizens, including religious minorities who are particularly vulnerable to the country’s rigid blasphemy laws.”

Last week, vigilante students at Kohat University of Science and Technology, in Kohat district, attempted to lynch an unnamed Shi’a student for allegedly posting blasphemous remarks on Facebook. The angry mob beat the student and charged the vice-chancellors office, demanding that the student be expelled from the university or they would kill him. The accused student was expelled, taken into police custody, and charged with blasphemy under Pakistan’s Penal Code.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reported that in August alone more than 40 blasphemy cases were registered against members of the Shi’a community. The following month in September, in another incident in Charsada district, 61-year old Maruf Gul and his family home were attacked by an angry mob. Gul, who identifies as Sunni Muslim, was accused of questioning the story of Abraham’s offering to sacrifice his son Ismail to God with his Shi’a Muslim landlord. The accused was charged with blasphemy and arrested by police, who advised his family to move out of the neighborhood. 

“It is imperative that the Pakistani government repeal its blasphemy law,” added USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie Moore. “Until this happens, we call on the Pakistani government to enact reforms, including making blasphemy a bailable offense, requiring evidence by accusers, ensuring proper investigation by senior police officials, allowing authorities to dismiss unfounded accusations, and enforcing existing Penal Code articles criminalizing perjury and false accusations.”

In its 2020 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended Pakistan as a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) for engaging in or tolerating systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom since 2002. In June 2020, USCIRF released a Policy Update on Pakistan, which provides recommendations for a binding agreement between the United States and Pakistan pursuant to Section 405(c) of IRFA to address religious freedom violations in Pakistan, including the reform and ultimate repeal of the blasphemy law.

###

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].