Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Asif Pervaiz, a 42-year-old Pakistani Christian, has been in prison for 12 years after being sentenced to death for blasphemy by a Lahore court in 2020. This is just one of many cases in which the accusations are false and an innocent person has been accused. Today, his family denounces to Fides the delays in the Pakistani justice system: “Last April, finally, thanks to lawyer Saif-ul-Malook, a date for the appeal was set. But the judge canceled it unexpectedly and without giving any reason,” said Waseem Anwar, the convicted man’s brother, who had to move with his family and Asif Pervaiz’s family for security reasons, fearing reprisals that can occur against relatives of those accused of blasphemy. Waseem Anwar, who, like his brother, works in a textile factory, also cares for Asif’s wife and their four children. The incident underlying the verdict occurred in 2013 in the textile factory where Asif worked. Someone took his cell phone and sent blasphemous text messages. “It was his co-workers who did this out of envy, jealousy, and contempt for Christians,” says Waseem. “Unfortunately, the court at first instance rejected Asif’s statement denying the allegations and sentenced him to death.” Asif Pervaiz had also reiterated that the supervisor at his factory had confronted him and asked him to convert to Islam, which he refused. Muhammad Saeed Khokher, the plaintiff, however, denied that he wanted to convert Parvaiz. Following the conviction at first instance, the family sought assistance in organizing the appeal process. However, a new trial has not yet been opened. “Cases of false accusations of blasphemy can also lead to a positive outcome after a long trial,” Catholic lawyer Khalil Tahir Sandhu, who has defended many victims in court, told Fides. “However, the fact remains that innocent defendants often spend many years in prison, and their families suffer irreparable damage, without compensation and without punishment for those who make false accusations,” he notes. Among the cases with positive outcomes, on July 8, a court in Lahore acquitted two young Christians of a false blasphemy charge that arose from a minor dispute. Adil Babar and Simon Nadeem were 18 and 14 years old, respectively, when they were charged in 2023 and have now been acquitted two years later. The case of a Catholic who was acquitted of blasphemy charges after 23 years in prison caused a stir. Anwar Kenneth, now 71, was arrested in 2001 for alleged blasphemy and sentenced to death by a Lahore court in July 2002. Last June, after reviewing the case, the Supreme Court finally ordered his acquittal on the grounds that he was mentally ill. A report by the human rights organization Human Rights Watch, titled “A Conspiracy to Grab the Land,” published in June 2025, states: “Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are discriminatory, deny non-Muslims equality before the law, and encourage violence against anyone accused of the crime. Blasphemy is a crime officially punishable by death in Pakistan, and the laws have long been used to pursue personal vendettas and persecute members of religious minorities with serious consequences. A simple accusation of blasphemy can mean a death sentence: dozens of people have been killed in mass violence over the past decade based on blasphemy allegations.” The text continues: “People who make blasphemy allegations often do so for economic reasons, such as acquiring land owned by others. Although victims of blasphemy allegations and the violence resulting from the law come from all socioeconomic and religious groups in Pakistan, most victims come from marginalized groups.” These groups are often unable to afford defense for economic reasons: “A deep-rooted prejudice in the criminal justice system leads to miscarriages of justice against people accused of blasphemy. Authorities almost never bring to justice those who commit violent acts in the name of blasphemy, while those charged under discriminatory laws – usually without evidence – suffer long pretrial detentions, lack of due process, and unfair trials that can lead to years in prison.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/7/2025)
Share: