We really need to get rid of blasphemy laws as they are being exploited against religious minorities. Islam if you look at the history had the highest tolerance levels in the ages of Prophet Mohammed and it was it's tolerance that encouraged a lot of non believers to accept Islam besides other things.

This blasphemy law serves no purpose other than settling personal vendettas. I hope sanity prevails in this case.

Another dead Christian. I am sure someone was jealous why a Christian man was writting blgs

In this scenario, a police case was registered. So apparently this is not similar to the savage mob lynching we have recently read about. Secondly, it is a law, and an educated individual should know the consequences of his actions. People may argue about the blasphemy law, some may call it controversial, but to be honest, only a true Muslim knows the pain and hurt that the remarks against our Prophet cause. And this pain can easily turn into anger that leads to violence. So before the 'freedom of speech brigade' starts arguing against it, they should keep one thing in their mind, calling a football or cricket player 'monkey' is a big deal, and doesn't qualify as freedom of speech. This matter is far superior. Being a muslim is not about following some rules, its who we are, and our Prophet means more to us than our own lives.

Where is Pakistan heading to? The minorities need to keep their mouth duct taped, and the fingers tied while near to the computer or near to the writing desk so that may be able to survive in an intolerant society towards minority community.

Again? Oh, God, when is this going to end?

No words... just sympathy.

Wake up shahnaz sharif and intervene now. Wake up asma jahangir

@Harish Chandra: You are correct, unfortunately. As a Pakistani, I can vouch for the fact that this country is going to to the dogs.

This is getting ridiculous now. I hope Nawaz Govt. will table a law to void this law that is being misused. Who cares if someone says anything contrary to what I believe in. We need to develop a future where we re open to others point of view. We need to grow and think big...

@Mubin Zahir How can you hope for sanity? Their is no change either in leaders or laws. We are still living with the cancer which is deeply rooted.

Can Pakistanis please stop feeling threatened by every single thing said against Islam? Live and let live.

This blasphemy law should be nullified. It is just use for revenge here.

@Mubin Zahir Personal vendetta is problem, no doubt, but all blasphemy related cases are not just personal vendettas and this looks one of those cases free from such vendettas... Let's hope law enforcement acts and punish the man if indeed he's guilty..

@Johann sometimes it can be about jealousy, but not all the times , people do talk wrong about Holy personalities , and it is not joke ,how much liberal and adaptable a man can be, but some things must not change with time ,and real religious issued are constant if you can realize.

A zero tolerance policy for the blasphemy law... just wish this type of zero tolerance applied to govt. officials who abuse power and pillage the nation's treasury for their own personal gain.

The civilized world should call for U.N security council meeting immediately and should pass resolution against this so called blasphemy law in Pakistan and should threaten to impose sanctions on Pakistan if this law is not scrapped.

Here we go again with this omnious law..........

Does anyone ever actual verify whether these blasphemies occur or not ?

:(

What a joke this Blasphemy law has made of God and islam. No European cartoonist or Salman Rushdie could have done Islam such damage as this gift from Zia ul Haq and Bhutto.

Such efficiency on the part of our Police is rarely seen otherwise.

These laws are generally being misused. Can the reporter show any evidence the accused is guilty? Surely that would not be a difficult task?

Blasphemy law is absurd. Religion is all about your belief. If i say, i do not believe in your religion or my religion is better than yours; is that amount to blasphemy?? In that case all of the religious people irrespective of any religion is guilty under this law.

@AYZA lol such an anarchist mind you have. do you want this nation to go for a killing frenzy.

There is nothing wrong with blasphemy law, its wrong for setting up personnel vendetta is wrong and mob justice must not be acceptable

@Dr Baig Yeah...let the reporter show the evidence and let public be the judge. So they can pass a judgment and carry out the punishment! Brilliant plan. Rock on Pakistan...:))

Did anyone bothered to know what remarks he wrote. And he was on run for last three and half year, if he would not have not been guilty he would have applied for asylum from HUMAN RIGHT champions countries. For God sake stop talking against blasphemy law, talk against its wrong use and problem is not with law but with judicial system. Judiciary has failed to create deterance against mis-using the law

I love how we criticize Israel for their oppression of the Palestinians. While that is a great cause in itself, we forget the same problems in our territory. Our own minorities are oppressed. Our police have enough time on their hands to deal with blasphemy cases but when it comes to actual crimes, they're invisible. Invisible like the rest of this nation and its government. Will Pakistan ever rise above all this? Or are we doomed to perpetual suffering?

@Rizwan bro i m hindu and in case some one criticize hinduism how would that effect my faith ? i dont understand....if my faith is strong it teaches me to be open to any sort of criticism. If it cant stand the criticism either i m timid or my faith is. At the same point of time being abusive towards anything is wrong.

So the police wasted 3 and half years of public money to hunt a blasphemy victim. On the other hand Taliban publicly beheads a man and no arrests there. I wonder who wrote the Pakistani constitution.

@Dr Baig "Can the reporter show any evidence the accused is guilty? " Don't know if they CAN show any evidence or not but even if they can, they WON'T. Because showing such evidence will also comes under blasphemy law and the police may arrest the reporter and editor.

@Bajwa The only sensible comment I have read all day. This guy 'wrote' something. His writings are saved forever in the log files of the website. He literally sat in front of a furnace while being soaked in gasoline.

@Mohit Sharma Best explaination!

@S_Hussain ppl used to throw garbage on the rasool and even then he cared about that person. What right does constitution of paksitan have to punish someone for derogatory words if the prophet himself cared for people that did much worse to him. Maybe u forgot this story.

Enough. We are neither muslim enough or civilised enough to have this law. If parliament is too scared of our Mullahs, then put this law in abeyance for 10 years. We need some introspection - the mullahism and "madrassas" were unleashed on Pakistan by Zia so he could prolong his power. Now Saudi Arabia and Iran fund their own mullahs here. Now we have democracy, we need to have a comprehensive strategy to address this.

@Aly khan Law should stay there but those who misuse it should be strictly punished. And there should be much clear definnitiom of blasphemy. Most of these people have done anything which is even close to blasphemy. Education and Justice is the only solution. If there wil be no law, they would justify more extra judicial killing

Pakistan is making a mockery of Islam

@raja hindustani Abusive language against anybody's hero is crossing the lines.

What a shameful act. This society is after shortcut in every mater either religion or worldly affairs. Someone will be ready to get pass of heaven. Majority of mosques are faming hate on the name of faith and government have no mechanism to oversight them. This country is in really poor state.

@umair Why do you think the whole muslim world back in 2005 stood against the Danish Cartoons that berated our Prophet. From every nook and corner of the world, muslims protested against it. Criticize muslims if you want, but please, and I am saying this again, please don't criticize my Nabi and my Allah. PTI supporters get all charged up when someone says anything against Imran Khan, but I am talking about our Nabi. If you can't see the gravity of this situation, then I'm afraid these are probably the reasons why some factions of our society get radicalized and using force try to take matters in their own hands. I will repeat, tolerance is when someone criticizes you, not when someone bad mouths your Nabi. Maybe those that don't care enough cant tell the difference between the two.

It is interesting to note that almost all the blasphemy cases are registered in punjab.

That country is really gone back to stone age. Stoning is the only resolve of all the problems.

now he will be hanged

@S_Hussain I agree with you're comment whole heartedly.

It means all the Muslims in Pakistan are pure and all the minorities are impure. hence called Land of Pure

@Lucky Star The problem is not about blasphemy per se, but how this law has led to vigilantism and "frontier justice". Instead of letting the law of the land do its work, suddenly a bunch of people feel empowered into taking things into their own hands, passing judgments based on no evidence and executing the so-called blasphemer. Now why does only blasphemy produce this kind of vigilante action? Why not income tax cheats, or rapists, or traffic violators - why don't people take the law into their own hands and punish black marketers & adulterators (of food/medicines)? It's because in a hypercharged fanatical atmosphere as there is in Pakistan, professed so-called religion is above everything else. And everybody is to blame for this - the foundations of the state based on hate, the Islamization used as a tool by the army, the use of terrorism as state policy, and the indoctrinated and intolerant population.

Misuse of the blasphemy law is what has to be addressed ........ when the majority of the ulema agree, why is the government dragging its feet on this important issue. Yet they have time to put up for changes in the dual nationality laws BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING THAT SUITS THEM.........this is a disgraceful parliament.

@Bajwa Agreed

@Lucky Star: Pakistanis calling Indian PM murderer also crosses the line .Do we go to war with you?

The concern should investigate it first and then bring the facts in front of the nation, before this we cannot say anything against or favor of this.

@S_Hussain well written Mr. Hussain We all readers must ponder over these lines written by Mr. Hussain.

Police looked for the accused of blasphemy for more than three years and arrested him??? I wish police could show such "efficiency" when looking for real criminals. Killers and murdered are roaming around free in Pakistan because police is busy in minor things like looking for blasphemy suspects. The person who accused the Christian must have some personal grudge and must have paid money to the police to arrest the accused on blasphemy charges.

@Bajwa = Would you please elaborate how the judiciary can "create a deterence against misuse of blasphemy law?"

@Lucky Star : abusing or insulting anyone is wrong & is punishable offence. Why do we need separate law to defend our God?? Abuse is abuse...the culprit should be punished for Normal law of abuse. Arresting him under blasphemy law will make him villain for whole religion/society & this is the reason poor culprits are not even getting chance to defend themselves in court & are being killed by mob before or between of the trail.

@Aamir Khan Sorry buddy, you got it wrong. The dogs have come to this country.

Despite the killing of so many it is shameful that the antiquated "blasphy law" has still not been relegated to the dustbin! Shame on Pakistan.

Are these men out of their minds, why do they make such idiot comments, there are more Muslims than Pakistan residing in India, but no one makes such ridiculous remarks about their god and goddesses. Then why such action by so called Christians who even have not read the Bible and understood it.

Will wait to read the news, how it was tortured to death while our forces were standing around watching

@S_Hussain: I read your comment. And your comment causes me alarm. Much greater, might I add, than the alarm I felt when I read how the mob had behaved during the recent lynching of the Christian couple. Let me tell you why: You seem to be an 'educated' individual. Yet. Yet you have made the link between blasphemy, anger and violence against a fellow human being justifiable within a matter of seconds. But the behavior exhibited by our masses is never justified. Beating anyone to death is not encouraged in any religious book, dragging a pregnant woman through the village by tying her to a tractor is never encouraged, burning a man for being allegedly disrespectful to anyone's belief is not supported by any.religious.book. Being disrespectful to my beliefs may cause me pain, may hurt my sentiments and may also make me angry. But does my anger legitimate beating, killing, burning anyone? The answer is a clear cut: No. There is no grey area here, no matter of contention. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) is most dear to some of us. And the lives of the accused are, I'm sure, extremely dear to them. Do you honestly think, anyone who has been living in our country and has an iota of sense would deliberately say something disrespectful about the Prophet (P.B.U.H)? If I know that uttering a less than worthy statement about the Prophet (P.B.U.H) would cause me my life, my wife's life, my daughters life, my sons life; and anyone else's remotely related to me- do you truly think I would even utter the Prophet's (P.B.U.H) name? I think not. And neither will any other 'educated' or 'uneducated' individual. So. In my opinion, a 'true' Muslim will live and let live. And a 'true' Muslim will follow the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and never commit any action when he is angry, will forgive and forget and will be patient in all his dealings; even with people who disagree with him.

We South Asians do not know foul language or hurting harsh others. It is all advent with the English. It is definitely possible and discuss theological issues without offending Prophets or religious leaders.

This law only deters what people say about islam in public and not what thay think about in their hearts. Make your religion such that thay praise it even when no one is listening.

@Aamir Asma jhangir has been fed Lassi by nawaz and that's why she is sleeping.

Muslims are the most perfect people of the world.

@S_Hussain : By the same token, a True Muslim should also learn to control his/her anger and emotion. Holy Prophet was told many things during his life but he didn't go on punishing people for that.

@S_Hussain True Muslims are above these shallow emotions.The savagery of this law has nothing to do with Islam.It is fanaticism. A true Muslims society will be honest,disciplined,knowledgeable,compassionate,educated and wise. The Pakistani culture accepts the prevailing fanaticism,tribalism,corruption,dishonesty in their society.A true Muslim will stand up and reject these habits and be a model Human being.

Wow. Isn't it weird how quickly the police can act against people who allegedly commit blasphemy but not against people who rape or other actual crimes?

Police is too quick to respond to alleged blasphemy. But the same is too lazy to apprehend Model Town shooters of 2014, land grabbers, rapists and money launderers. What an Islamic police!

@S_Hussain How suffocating is it to be in Pakistan?

It is an unjust law and the people who are arrested are soon killed in the prison.

Suspicious story. Many things are not clear in this story, most of all how come his identity was revealed because most people do not write their real name and a third person cannot come to know about it unless somebody from the TVs channel would have revealed it. Which means somebody had a grudge against him.

Why these people insult islam .

@Saadat Manto Very valid point, Sir. None of the religions which are there for millennium are so weak and fragile that they can be weakened or tarnished by bad mouthing by few fools.

@raja sahil khan They do not understand Islam.

@S_Hussain >>>> You are talking from Pakistani culture. Anybody living out of that culture will call your argument: craziness.

@Aamir >>> Asma Jehangir and Nawaz Sharif are not working for good; they are politicians.

@Ezio Auditore >>> How much education do you have?

Here we go again.... will the madness never end? It is also somewhat disturbing that the police pursue such cases with great vigour, yet if a man is murdered or have his home robbed or daughter raped then the response is one of lethargy and laissez faire unless of course a payment is made.

Is any body in Pakistan a complete Muslim? If you find one, let me know? I want to go and shake his hand, because he is such a rare commodity. Muslims in Pakistan are more enforcers of Islam, rather than followers of Islam. This is a sign of ignorence.

@Kaspar what elaboration u need? For what purpose judiciary is sitting? those who burned two christian alive in okara, now when a case has been registered, what's the problem,why all collaborators can't be hanged on mis-using the law. Murdered of Salman tasser is don in Adiala jail, unfortunately we have most corrupt & coward judiciary. Govt should form a permanent committee like a sensor board who should report any such blasphemous incident in the country, so that individual can be punished as per law instead of mob justice.

@Mohit Sharma : Whether you live in India or Pakistan, each country has the same history when dealing with the religious opposition.

The world is still watching and waiting for the Islamic State of Pakistan to punish those who killed the pregnant Christian couple, and is losing patience with the ISP. The ISP will never be embraced by the civilized world if this behavior continues. If fact, we now only want to distance ourselves from you and your barbaric thinking society. What kind of example do the people of Pakistan want to show the world? What does your country offer to mankind, other than misery?

It appears that the Islamic State of Pakistan does't care what ordinary civilized Pakistanis want for their county, so I would suggest that you take matters in your own hands, since you government will not, and declare war on these barbarians. So stop writing angry comments here, and get busy! Because all of these angry comments wont change anything!

@S_Hussain Muhammad PBUH didn't creat such a law.He was sent down as mercy to the universe not as a revengeful person. May be we should live him enough to follow his person and Sunnah and not make such unislamic laws which go against his example.

These laws are now being used as an abuse to malign those with personal, property or political disputes. Due to their misuse these laws must be repeled.

@S_Hussain Every body loves their religion . First learn to respect other peoples religion then ask for respect.

@S_Hussain so what would u say to those who destroyed somnath temple

@S_Hussain Allah is more powerful to protect the prophet. He does not need any humans to help is this matter.

@sunil , I think you are referring to the temple that was attacked by Mahmood Ghaznavi, the Afghan invader. In my personal opinion he wanted to rob the place. He carried out a cruel attack, murdered the innocent and peaceful temple dwellers with the sole motive of increasing his wealth. Most empires in those days were forged on greed.

@Arshad A Patel, W.Chester,Oh, USA would you please enlighten me with an example of such kind of law in indian constitution.

@Nand That is a fact not a fiction. One thousand Muslims were killed right under the nose of Modi Sahib, and America denied visa to Modi Sahib rpior to his becoming as PM. Please don't argue that he was cleared by the courst, because everybody in India knows how the court system works in India. Going to war with Pakistan as reslut of those comments will serve neither India and nor Pakistan. unless, you want to see most of Noth India as a big a field of glass.

@raja hindustani The objective of the law is protecting minorities from majorities abuse, but minorities are abusing majorities sentiments and in return, majoriotes are lynching minorities.

@S_Hussain So you said the words True muslim, Anger and Violence all in the same breath, how much sense does that make?? When anyone is called a monkey or anything we all protest inspite of freedom of speech, but the penalty for foul mouthing a personality cannot be death, specially when the personality in question is "Rehmat ullil AAlamewen" (SA). Please use wisdom acquired by reading scriptures and Books on Aswa hasanah, instead of following Half baked self righteous mullahs of Pakistan only.

Blasphemy law is a meat grinder for Pakistan's minorities. It is parliament-sanctioned terrorism. Abolish it please.

@Bajwa We should understand that laws are supposed to implementable. There are some things that cannot be bound by laws, hurting some one's feelings is one of them. Respect cannot be measured and bounded on any one. A law based on respect is bound to attract its misuse to settle personal scores or hatred. No doubt it is a moral responsibility of every individual to respect each others' feelings. I don't think it is the laws that will help us to escalate the stature of the prophet, it is the actions of the followers (us). Perhaps we should focus more on them and be better muslims simply.

this is not only alarming as a muslim and citizen of Pakistan, but very disturbing as well. this is not healthy sign in a society where 10/15 years back no such incidents were happening with such frequency....or for real ground reality such incidents were near extinction in our culture / society. though this law does not need introduction in our society as same was already in our constitution.... nevertheless, we need to educate minorities and make them understand in complete harmony the implementation and consequences of this law .... strange phenomenon is all such incidents are happening ( mostly ) in remote parts of our cities and definitely needs more focus on such areas as why such things are happening with great deal of fervor and frequency.... the onus lies with our judiciary to enforce our law forcing authorities to ensure minorities are taught and law is implemented accordingly...................

There are hundreds of laws and most of them are / can be misused by anyone (around the globe). There are fake cases of theft, murders, rapes etc based on certain laws. This doesn't mean that all such laws and punishments should be removed from constitution since they can be misused. A logical demand is to ensure fair investigation and prosecution. The "moderates" who are chanting "live and let live" should implement this mantra on themselves first and let Muslims live by developing and implementing laws according to their own religion and priorities. No law should be misused, including the blasphemy law, but if it is proven that a person has done blasphemy, then he should get the treatment according to the law. All the efforts done to remove love of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w from the heart of Muslims will fail, in sha Allah.

There are many events, specially in the developing countries, where a mob catches and punishes thieves, robbers etc. Does this mean that all the laws and punishments related to theft and robbery should be removed from constitution? Talk sense guys! It's not about the law, it's about fair investigation/prosecution and changing mob mentality through proper education and guidance.

Repeal the stupid Blasphemy law NOW.

@S_Hussain would you be hanged to death for calling a cricketer a monkey? As for your feelings, no one is denying you to feel outraged. But your subjective feelings does not mean you have a right to demand death of someone over it.

@Mohit Sharma Sirji, in Hinduism, ordinary people regularly question and debate almost each & every act of God, leave alone any prophet or God's messenger. For example, people debate the suitability of exile imposed on Mother Sita by Lord Rama. May be that is the reason for the strength of Hinduism. Hope other faiths realise too that the all powerful God needs no defending from his children.

Now by giving the date and venue you are putting a fatal threat to that guy. Do you know the meaning of sensible journalisim. Try to be a part of solution not the problem.

my great land of pure

Monty Python. Life of Brian, stoning episode. While the movie was satire and angered many Christians, the stoning of the blasphemer episode sadly resembles what blasphemy law in Pakistan represents.

Another scapegoat! when will this process of targeting the minorities in the name of religion will end?

@Aly khan It absolutely has to go. Anti Fitna laws are sufficient.

One's Iman is with oneself. so relax, nobody can step on your Iman. Just don't let anybody step on your toes(physical).

"Sure"

Do not blame the Western Press or anyone else for the bad image Islam has. Blame yourselves if you let the extremists in your religion take over.

@Arshad A Patel, W.Chester,Oh, USA With due respect Sir, we do not have a blasphemy law in India.

One more feather to the intolerant us. Grow up my countrymen. We are perfectly zooming towards our doom.

@S_Hussain "our Prophet means more to us than our own lives." And the lives of others apparently. And that's a problem. A personal belief held about a prophet and your relationship to him or her that so motivates people to cause physical harm to others in response to any perceived criticism or ridicule (via a comment, book or cartoon for instance) suggests some of the following traits: Lack of empathy Lack of remorse or guilt Poor behavioral controls Grandiose sense of self-worth Impulsivity Irresponsibility Pathological lying The Psychopathy Checklist might be a good starting point for some religious devotees to take a first step in realizing they have a problem.

No Worries...There are handful of religious minority left in Pak anyway...Once they are dealt, this law will become obselete.

Count another Christian dead, for hurting our extremely delicate religious "sentiments".

@rehan Whether there was blasphemy or not should not be the point. Blasphemy is not something you should punish by death, at least not in the civilized world.

@Ahsan Fraz Even Imran Khan with is vision of so called "naya Pakistabn" believes in these man made laws because he is afraid of the Mullahs!!!!!

@Moiz Omar Ok. So what?

A Christian brings peace to others. Not only peace, but also love, kindness, faithfulness and joy. Pope Francis. What are Muslims taught? And do they follow it?

@S_Hussain well said. this will be a lesson to all .

Why only islam needs such laws?

forget about other cases which are not coming to court for 20 to 30 years.. but Blasphemy is important