Pakistan’s blasphemy law, originally intended to protect religious sentiments, has increasingly become a tool for exploitation, according to human rights activists. Imaan Z Mazari, a prominent advocate, has shed light on how this law is being misused for financial gain by a non-governmental entity called the Legal Commission on Blasphemy.
The Legal Commission, once thought to be a neutral body overseeing blasphemy cases, is now accused of operating like a mafia network. Mazari claims the commission engages in honey traps, fabricated cases, and extortion schemes to accuse innocent people of blasphemy. These false allegations are then used to extort money and manipulate legal outcomes.
More than 800 people are currently languishing in Pakistani prisons, wrongfully accused under the blasphemy law. These individuals face long sentences or even death, often based on spurious claims or personal vendettas. Despite clear evidence of misuse, the state continues to turn a blind eye to the growing abuse of this law.
The situation has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who argue that the law is no longer a means to protect faith but a tool for power and financial gain. Mazari emphasized that the real victims of this system are the thousands of innocent people whose lives are destroyed by false accusations.
“This is not justice,” said Mazari. “This is a horrific exploitation of faith, where the law is being weaponized to extort money and ruin lives.”
The growing exploitation of the blasphemy law not only undermines the legal system but also raises concerns about the state’s failure to intervene. Critics argue that the government must hold the Legal Commission and other entities accountable for the misuse of power. Until then, thousands of innocent lives will continue to be at risk.
