Faisalabad man gets death sentence in blasphemy case

FAISALABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad on Friday handed down the death penalty to Pervaiz alias Kodu Masih in connection with a blasphemy case linked to the Jaranwala violence that erupted in August 2023. The court also imposed a total fine of Rs3.5 million on the convict.

Pervaiz was sentenced to death under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with a fine of Rs2 million. Additionally, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison under Section 295-A with a Rs1 million fine, and received life imprisonment under Section 295.

However, the court acquitted two co-accused, Daud William Masih and Shahid Aftab alias Boby Masih, granting them the benefit of the doubt due to insufficient evidence.

The Jaranwala incident, which occurred on August 16, 2023, saw a violent mob attack Christian communities following allegations of blasphemy.

The unrest led to the ransacking and torching of five churches, as well as attacks on homes belonging to Christian residents and the office of the local assistant commissioner.

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The violence was reportedly sparked after residents claimed that desecrated pages of the Holy Quran were found near a house in Cinema Chowk, inhabited by two Christian brothers.

The allegations were widely spread through announcements made from various mosques, inciting hundreds to take part in the attacks.

In response to the unrest, the local administration imposed Section 144 for a week to prohibit gatherings, except those organized by the government.

The Punjab government also directed the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the incident, in accordance with instructions from the caretaker prime minister.