Five individuals, including a Christian, have been arrested on the charges of blasphemy in Pakistan’s Punjab province, police mentioned on Tuesday (April 22, 2025).
A law-and-order state of affairs was created after a massive variety of folks surrounded the Sajid Shaheed Police Station, Sargodha metropolis, some 200 kms from Lahore, on Sunday, forcing the police to arrest the 5 suspects for insulting a companion of the Prophet, police mentioned.
“Complainant Nisar Ahmad alleged that Naeem, Yasir, Zain, Hanif and Sameul printed stickers containing blasphemous content,” police officer Mobin Ali advised PTI.
He mentioned a massive variety of folks gathered outdoors the police station, demanding stern motion towards the suspects. A heavy contingent of police managed the state of affairs and later arrested the culprits.
He mentioned the suspects have been saved in tight safety and produced to a Justice of the Peace for his or her bodily remand.
A case has been registered towards the suspects below sections 295-A and 298-A of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The Christian suspect mentioned he had nothing to do with the printing of the blasphemous stickers as he’s an worker there.
Blasphemy is a delicate subject in Pakistan, the place anybody deemed to have insulted Islam or Islamic figures can face the dying penalty. Often, an accusation may cause riots and incite mobs to violence, lynching and killings.
Minorities, including Christians and Hindus, have been continuously subjected to blasphemy allegations and a few have even been sentenced for blasphemy in Pakistan.
Published – April 22, 2025 10:22 pm IST
