Islamabad woman gets Death Sentence for Online Blasphemy

ISLAMABAD – A woman in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad was awarded death sentence in a blasphemy-related case filed under PECA Act.

A special court was reportedly formed in Islamabad which took up the case and after several proceedings, the court awarded death sentence to the woman accused of sharing a social media post deemed offensive to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Judge Afzal Majoka imposed fine of Rs3lac and a seven-year prison term, along with an additional fine of Rs1lac under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. The court further ordered woman’s execution by hanging but allowed her the right to appeal the decision within 30 days.

Blasphemy laws in Asian nation are stern often resulting in severe penalties, including death sentence for offenses against Islamic figures. These laws can be broadly interpreted, leading to vague accusations and increasing the risk of mob violence and extrajudicial killings.