According to the ABC News, Pakistan is a 95% Muslim country, which might explain why there is currently a law there that was introduced by Pakistan’s former military ruler General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s, which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam or its prophet. The current government is pushing to change the law, known as the Blasphemy Law, under claims that it has often been misused by extremist groups to discriminate against non-Muslim minorities.

Although a death sentence based on the Blasphemy Law has never been carried out, convictions are very common in Pakistan. But what makes the law completely ineffective is that most cases are thrown out on appeal due to lack of evidence, despite the fact that a simple accusation is considered sufficient evidence to register the case. Meanwhile, what makes the law discriminatory is not just the way it affects the freedom of speech and religion of non-Muslims, but the fact that non-Muslims have no protection if a Muslim accuses them of violations, such as tearing a page of the Koran or speaking negatively of the Muslim religion.

Last week, Minister for Religious Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti told Reuters that the government of Pakistan is “holding consultative meetings with representatives of minorities and political parties, as well as with Muslim clerics” in order to stop the way “some elements misuse the law to create violence and disharmony in society.”

Among the changes the current government is proposing for this law, one is a procedural change that would require an investigation and court order for registering the case. ABC News claims an anonymous government spokesman said another change would include establishing that suspects will only be prosecuted if they had “intentionally and willfully” committed blasphemy.

But this isn’t the first time a Pakistani government tries to change the Blasphemy Law. In 2000, military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, also tried to modify the law, but met strong opposition and eventually desisted. According to ABC News, the new government’s proposed changes are also meeting strong opposition, “Islamic parties have opposed changes in the law because of suspicions that pro-Western, liberal groups seek to dilute Pakistan’s Islamic identity,” and there is serious doubt as to whether or not changing the law will be possible.

Related Posts
1. Malaysia’s “Allah Issue:” Sacrificing Freedom of Speech to Ensure Freedom of Religion
2. Free Speech, Freedom of Religion, and Sex Ed in England