Faraz Pervaiz official

In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynching, vigilante murders, and mass protests.

Since Pakistan added Section 295-B and 295-C to the country’s blasphemy laws in 1987, the number of blasphemy accusations have skyrocketed. Between 1987 and 2017, 1,534 individuals in Pakistan are being accused of blasphemy. Out of that 1,534, 829 accusations (54%), were against religious minorities. With Christians only making up 1.6% of Pakistan’s total population, the 251 accusations (17.5%) made against Christians is disproportionate.

Currently, 29 Christians are in prison due to blasphemy charges in Pakistan. These 29 Christians are defendants in 21 blasphemy cases represented at various levels of the judicial process in Pakistan.