A Step Back from Crisis: Sahiwal's Struggle to Counter Blasphemy Allegations


August 21, 2023


Blasphemy-related crisis in Sahiwal, Pakistan follows recent Christian community attacks in Jaranwala, Pakistan.


Following the violent attacks on Christian neighborhoods in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad district, which led to the destruction of churches and property, a similar potential crisis stemming from blasphemy allegations was narrowly averted in Sahiwal, according to sources.


Bishop Abraham Daniel of the Sahiwal Baptist church explained that tensions escalated in 186/9-L village when a 27-year-old Christian named Ahsan Shan Masih shared a video on social media containing blasphemous images, which had initially triggered the earlier violence in Jaranwala on August 16.


Ahsan, a laborer and father of two, had encountered a video related to the Jaranwala incidents on social media and posted it on his TikTok account. The video quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting leaders of the extremist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to call for protests against the alleged blasphemy. This raised concerns among Christians in various areas who feared a recurrence of the earlier unrest in Jaranwala.


Fortunately, prompt police intervention prevented further harm to the Christian community's lives and property.


TLP activists organized a sit-in protest, demanding legal action against Ahsan for sharing the blasphemous content, resulting in the police placing Ahsan's entire family under protective custody. Following an investigation, it was confirmed that Ahsan had indeed shared the video, which was still present in his phone gallery. Subsequently, Ahsan was charged under relevant sections of the law, arrested, and placed in jail on judicial remand.


Protesters attempted to pressure the police into adding more severe blasphemy charges against Ahsan, but fortunately, this demand was not met. Bishop Abraham Daniel expressed relief due to the police's swift response in averting a major crisis. He highlighted the necessity for responsible social media use within the Christian community, emphasizing the potential risks posed by sharing offensive content. He underlined the importance of understanding the law and exercising caution, requesting prayers for Ahsan's release.


In the context of the Jaranwala attacks, where a violent mob had vandalized churches and properties over alleged Quran desecration, both domestic and international human rights groups condemned the violence.


In Pakistan, minority communities frequently become targets, facing threats from religious clerics and organizations like TLP, which consistently seek ways to penalize them and fabricate cases against them. Pakistan's blasphemy laws carry severe penalties, including death, for insulting Islam or Islamic figures, often leading to violence and lynchings based on mere accusations. Advocacy groups contend that blasphemy allegations are often weaponized against religious minorities and exploited to settle personal disputes. These marginalized communities confront challenges as their rights and safety are compromised, fostering an environment of discrimination and intolerance. Such incidents underscore the critical need for robust legal safeguards and equal treatment for all citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliations, to promote social harmony and uphold fundamental human rights within the nation.