Pakistani Students Face Death Sentences Over WhatsApp Messages
In a shocking case, a 22-year-old student in Pakistan has been handed the death sentence for allegedly sharing ‘blasphemous’ pictures and videos on WhatsApp. The court ruled that the messages contained derogatory content about Prophet Muhammad and his wives, intended to outrage Muslim sentiments.
The complaint regarding the two students’ messages was filed in 2022 by the cybercrime unit of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Lahore. The FIA claimed to have examined the students’ phones and found “obscene material” on them.
Life Imprisonment for a Minor
Adding to the severity of the situation, a 17-year-old student has also been sentenced to life imprisonment for sharing the same ‘blasphemous’ material. As a minor, he was spared the death penalty.
However, the teenager’s life has been forever altered by this incident, and the harsh sentence is likely to have a profound impact on his future.
Denial and Appeal
Both students have denied the accusations, claiming they were “trapped in a false case.” They asserted their innocence and maintained that they did not create or share blasphemous content.
The 22-year-old’s father has filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court, desperately attempting to overturn the lower court’s decision and save his son’s life.
Sensitive Issue in Pakistan
Blasphemy is a highly sensitive matter in Pakistan, where anyone deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures can face the death penalty. Human rights organisations have widely criticized these laws for their potential for misuse and abuse.
The harsh sentences handed down, in this case, highlight the severity of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan and the urgent need for reform to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights.
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History of Violence
Last year, several churches were set on fire by a mob in eastern Pakistan after a Christian family was accused of blasphemy. The attack was triggered by religious zealots accusing the family of desecrating the Quran.
Such incidents underscore the volatile nature of the situation and the potential for violence to erupt at the slightest provocation, often based on unsubstantiated accusations.As the appeals process continues, the two students’ lives hang in the balance, underscoring the urgent need for reform and the protection of fundamental human rights in Pakistan.
