US EditionPakistan court orders probe into online blasphemy spike
PAKISTAN, JUL 15 – The federal government must form a commission to probe a rise in online blasphemy cases targeting mostly young men, with 767 accused awaiting trial, rights groups say.
- On Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court directed the federal government to establish a commission within one month to look into cases involving blasphemy nationwide.
- The order followed multiple petitions filed on September 14 seeking an inquiry into how blasphemy laws are enforced amid concerns over wrongful accusations and personal safety risks.
- Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan emphasized that the commission must finish its work within four months and stated that officials built cases without establishing key facts, citing Komal Ismail’s disappearance as concerning.
- Lawyer Imaan Mazari representing affected families called the ruling 'a huge ray of hope' because many youngsters have been falsely accused with lasting stigma even after acquittal, while a report said 767 mostly young men await trial.
- The commission’s formation signals judicial efforts to address blasphemy law abuses, including ongoing investigations and potential extensions, with a strong judicial insistence on thorough and timely review.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Govt told to form commission to probe misuse of blasphemy law
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday gave the federal government 30 days to constitute a commission to investigate misuse of blasphemy law. The order came during the hearing of a case seeking the formation of such a commission Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, while hearing the case, ordered that the commission should complete its work within four months. However, he allowed the commission to seek an extension from the court, if re…
IHC Orders To Form Commission To Probe Blasphemy Cases
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered the government to form a commission within 30 days to investigate blasphemy cases, saying that the commission formed by the federal government should complete its proceedings within 4 months. Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard the case.During the h ..
Court-Ordered Probe: Pakistan Investigates Online Blasphemy Spike
Pakistan court orders investigation into online blasphemy cases targeting youth, amid rising arrests and societal backlash. Private law firms use volunteers to scour the internet for offenders
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