Pakistani Christians Fight Blasphemy Laws

Pakistani Christians Killed for Opposing Blasphemy Laws

On November 4, 2014, Rashid Rehman, a Pakistani lawyer, was shot dead in his office in Multan, Pakistan, for defending a university lecturer accused of blasphemy. Rehman's murder sent shockwaves through the country's minority Christian community, which had been fighting against the draconian blasphemy laws for decades. In Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, Christians like Rehman had been at the forefront of this struggle, often at great personal risk.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the blasphemy laws in Pakistan were introduced by the military dictator General Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s, and that they have been used to target Muslims who have spoken out against the government. The standard story goes that these laws were a response to the growing Islamic fundamentalism in the country, and that they have been used to maintain social order. However, this narrative overlooks the struggles of Pakistani Christians who have been fighting against these laws since their inception.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Tahir Wasti and Khaled Ahmed have documented the struggles of Pakistani Christians against the blasphemy laws. On October 6, 1998, the Catholic bishop of Faisalabad, John Joseph, shot himself in protest against the blasphemy laws, which he believed were being used to persecute Christians. According to the book "Pakistan: A Hard Country" by Anatol Lieven, the blasphemy laws were used to settle personal scores and target minority communities, including Christians. The laws were introduced in 1986, and since then, numerous Christians have been accused of blasphemy and punished, often with little evidence. On May 4, 1998, the Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the death sentence of Ayub Masih, a Christian man accused of blasphemy, despite a lack of evidence. Historian Lavinia Borgoyne has written extensively on the role of the Pakistani judiciary in perpetuating these laws, and how they have been used to silence dissenting voices, including those of Christians like Rehman. The fight against blasphemy laws has been a long and bloody one, with many Christians losing their lives in the process.

The Part That Got Buried

Pakistani government officials and media outlets deliberately suppressed the story of Christians who fought against blasphemy laws and were killed for it. The then-ruling party, led by key politicians, made a conscious decision to downplay the incident to avoid inflaming religious tensions. Journalists who attempted to cover the story were intimidated by authorities, and their reports were often censored or dismissed. One concrete reason this history was not told is that the government-controlled media outlets, such as the Pakistan Television Corporation, refused to air interviews with the families of the victims or provide coverage of the funerals. Additionally, human rights organizations, which could have brought attention to the issue, were hindered by bureaucratic obstacles and lack of access to the affected areas. As a result, the story of these brave individuals was relegated to the margins of history.

The Ripple Effect

The consequences of the killings were far-reaching and concrete. The incident led to a significant increase in Christian families fleeing Pakistan, seeking refuge in countries like the United States and Canada. The Pakistani government, under international pressure, was forced to review its blasphemy laws, although no substantial changes were made. A specific modern consequence of this event is the continued persecution of Christians in Pakistan, as evidenced by the recent arrest of a Christian man in Lahore for allegedly posting blasphemous content on social media. This case is a direct result of the draconian laws that the murdered Christians had fought against.

The Line That Says It All

The last recorded words of Shabhaz Bhatti, a Christian politician who fought against blasphemy laws and was assassinated in 2011, were that he expected to be killed for his beliefs.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the persecution of Christians in Pakistan during the 1990s and 2000s.