In a significant development, the Additional District and Sessions Court of Rawalpindi has handed down death penalties to four individuals in a blasphemy case, while a fifth accused received a seven-year prison sentence. The case was filed by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing (CCW).
Additional District and Sessions Judge Ahsan Mahmood Malik presided over the proceedings and delivered the verdict in two separate cases. He emphasized the severity of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the desecration of the Holy Quran, declaring them heinous and unforgivable crimes deserving no leniency.
The four individuals, identified as Wazir Gul, Muhammad Amin, Faizan Razak, and Muhammad Rizwan, were found guilty of violating Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and have been sentenced to death, along with a fine of Rs100,000. Additionally, they received life imprisonment and a fine of Rs100,000 under Section 295-B of the PPC.
In a separate ruling, the judge sentenced the fifth accused, Usman Liaquat, to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs20,000.
The CCW initiated the case against these individuals on September 12, 2022, following a complaint filed by a civilian named Umair. The CCW presented evidence in the form of blasphemous videos and social media posts retrieved from the accused’s confiscated phones, which played a pivotal role in securing the convictions.
This verdict reflects the seriousness with which blasphemy cases are handled in Pakistan and underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the country’s blasphemy laws. The decision is likely to spark debates and discussions about the balance between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in the nation.
