The Blasphemous Messages and the Complaint

The messages were sent in 2022 by the 22-year-old student, whose name has not been disclosed, to a group of friends on WhatsApp. The messages contained photos and videos that showed Prophet Muhammad and his wives in a disrespectful and insulting way, according to the court verdict. The messages also included derogatory remarks about Islam and its followers.

The messages were reported to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) by one of the recipients, who claimed that he received them from three different mobile numbers. The FIA traced the numbers to the 22-year-old student and his 17-year-old friend, who had forwarded the messages to others. The FIA seized their phones and found the blasphemous content on them. The FIA then filed a complaint against the two students under the blasphemy law, which carries the death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad.

The Trial and the Verdict

The trial was held in a local court in Gujranwala, a city in Punjab province, where the two students belonged. The trial was conducted in a closed session, with tight security, as blasphemy cases often trigger violent protests and attacks in Pakistan. The two students pleaded not guilty and denied sending or sharing the messages. Their lawyers argued that they were trapped in a false case and that the evidence was fabricated.

However, the court rejected their defense and found them guilty of blasphemy. The court sentenced the 22-year-old student to death and the 17-year-old student to life imprisonment, as per the law. The court also imposed a fine of 500,000 rupees ($3,000) on each of them. The court said that the messages were “intentionally and deliberately” sent to “outrage the religious feelings of Muslims” and that they “hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world”.

The Reaction and the Appeal

The verdict has been condemned by human rights groups and activists, who have called it a violation of freedom of expression and a misuse of the blasphemy law. They have also expressed concern over the safety and well-being of the two students, who are likely to face threats and violence from extremists and vigilantes. They have urged the authorities to protect them and to review the case.

The father of the 22-year-old student has said that he will appeal the verdict in the Lahore High Court, the highest judicial forum in Punjab. He has said that his son is innocent and that he has been falsely accused. He has also said that he fears for his son’s life and that he hopes for justice.

The Context and the Controversy

Blasphemy is a highly sensitive and contentious issue in Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim country, where insulting Prophet Muhammad or the Quran is considered a grave offense and a sin. The blasphemy law, which was introduced by the British colonial rulers and later amended by the military dictator Zia-ul-Haq, prescribes the death penalty for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad and life imprisonment for blasphemy against the Quran. The law also states that the testimony of a Muslim is sufficient to prove blasphemy.

The blasphemy law has been widely criticized and challenged by human rights groups, civil society organizations, and minority communities, who have accused it of being vague, arbitrary, and prone to abuse. They have also said that the law is often used to settle personal disputes, to target religious minorities, and to silence dissenting voices. They have demanded that the law be reformed or repealed, to prevent its misuse and to protect the rights of the accused.

However, the blasphemy law has also been fiercely defended and supported by religious groups, political parties, and public opinion, who have argued that it is necessary to safeguard the sanctity and honor of Islam and its prophet. They have also opposed any attempts to amend or abolish the law, and have threatened to resist and retaliate against any such moves. They have also staged protests and rallies, and have attacked and killed those who have been accused or acquitted of blasphemy, or those who have spoken against the law.

Conclusion

A Pakistani court has sentenced a 22-year-old student to death for sending blasphemous messages on WhatsApp, depicting Prophet Muhammad in a derogatory manner. A 17-year-old student was also given life imprisonment for sharing the messages, in a case that has sparked outrage and criticism from human rights groups. The messages were sent in 2022 by the 22-year-old student, whose name has not been disclosed, to a group of friends on WhatsApp. The messages contained photos and videos that showed Prophet Muhammad and his wives in a disrespectful and insulting way, according to the court verdict. The messages also included derogatory remarks about Islam and its followers. The messages were reported to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) by one of the recipients, who claimed that he received them from three different mobile numbers. The FIA traced the numbers to the 22-year-old student and his 17-year-old friend, who had forwarded the messages to others. The FIA seized their phones and found the blasphemous content on them. The FIA then filed a complaint against the two students under the blasphemy law, which carries the death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad. The trial was held in a local court in Gujranwala, a city in Punjab province, where the two students belonged. The trial was conducted in a closed session, with tight security, as blasphemy cases often trigger violent protests and attacks in Pakistan. The two students pleaded not guilty and denied sending or sharing the messages. Their lawyers argued that they were trapped in a false case and that the evidence was fabricated. However, the court rejected their defense and found them guilty of blasphemy. The court sentenced the 22-year-old student to death and the 17-year-old student to life imprisonment, as per the law. The court also imposed a fine of 500,000 rupees ($3,000) on each of them. The court said that the messages were “intentionally and deliberately” sent to “outrage the religious feelings of Muslims” and that they “hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world”. The verdict has been condemned by human rights groups and activists, who have called it a violation of freedom of expression and a misuse of the blasphemy law. They have also expressed concern over the safety and well-being of the two students, who are likely to face threats and violence from extremists and vigilantes. They have urged the authorities to protect them and to review the case. The father of the 22-year-old student has said that he will appeal the verdict in the Lahore High Court, the highest judicial forum in Punjab. He has said that his son is innocent and that he has been falsely accused. He has also said that he fears for his son’s life and that he hopes for justice. Blasphemy is a highly sensitive and contentious issue in Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim country, where insulting Prophet Muhammad or the Quran is considered a grave offense and a sin. The blasphemy law, which was introduced by the British colonial rulers and later amended by the military dictator Zia-ul-Haq, prescribes the death penalty for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad and life imprisonment for blasphemy against the Quran. The law also states that the testimony of a Muslim is sufficient to prove blasphemy. The blasphemy law has been widely criticized and challenged by human rights groups, civil society organizations, and minority communities, who have accused it of being vague, arbitrary, and prone to abuse. They have also said that the law is often used to settle personal disputes, to target religious minorities, and to silence dissenting voices. They have demanded that the law be reformed or repealed, to prevent its misuse and to protect the rights of the accused. However, the blasphemy law has also been fiercely defended and supported by religious groups, political parties, and public opinion, who have argued that it is necessary to safeguard the sanctity and honor of Islam and its prophet. They have also opposed any attempts to amend or abolish the law, and have threatened to resist and retaliate against any such moves. They have also staged protests and rallies, and have attacked and killed those who have been accused or acquitted of blasphemy, or those who have spoken against the law.