Description of Blasphemy Law
There are many people who do not know much about the Blasphemy Law, which is hurting the body of Christ in this part of the world.
The law on blasphemy also belongs to the era when the country was under military rule of Gen. Zia. The offences relating to religion have been given in sections 295, 295-A, 295-B, 295-C of Pakistan Penal Code. It would be appropriate to reproduce the text of these Sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, which were introduced later through amendments.
Chapter XV OF OFFENCES RELATING TO RELIGION 295.
Injuring and defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any Class. Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to their religion, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine or with both.
295A. Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any Class by insulting its religion or religious belief. Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written or by visible representation insults or attempts to insult the religion or religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term that may extend to ten years, or with fine or with both.
295B. Defiling, etc. of copy of Holy Quran. Whoever willfully defiles damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Quran or of an extract there from or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment of life.
295C. Use of derogatory remarks, etc. in respect of the Holy Prophet. Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.
Note: The section has been amended and the alternative punishment of life imprisonment has bee deleted.
Shariat Court and Death Punishment
It may be stated that the Section 295C was incorporated vide Ordinance 1 of 1988 which had alternative punishments of death or imprisonment for life for the offence of blasphemy against the Holy Prophet.
The government of Pakistan did not take any action, therefore the said words are no more on the statute book from April 30, 1991 with solitary and mandatory punishment for death to a person accused of blasphemy against the Prophet.
Sister in Christ,
Ev. Razia Boota
raziaboota@yahoo.com
