A 22-year-old student in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy over WhatsApp messages, as per a recent ruling by a court in Punjab province. The charges stem from photos and videos containing derogatory language about Prophet Muhammad. In a separate but related case, a 17-year-old student received a life imprisonment sentence, spared from the death penalty due to his status as a minor.
Blasphemy remains a capital offense in Pakistan, though no executions have taken place till now. However, this contentious issue often results in violent reactions from impassioned mobs, sometimes even leading to lynching.
The cybercrime unit of Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Lahore initiated action against the students following a complaint filed in 2022. The complainant alleged the receipt of offensive materials from three different mobile numbers, prompting the investigation.
Growing blasphemy cases
Lawyers representing the accused students claim that they have been framed in a false case. The father of the student facing the death penalty is set to file an appeal in the Lahore High Court.
This development raises renewed concerns about the application and misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Earlier, over 80 Christian homes and 19 churches were vandalized last year in Jaranwala, after accusations against two Christian brothers of “desecrating” the Quran. These events highlight the challenges faced by religious minorities in the country.
Similarly, in last September another Christian family of Shaukat Masih was charged under Blasphemy laws in Lahore. The case was registered after some papers were found outside his house which were alleged to be of Quran. The man later clarified about his lack of awareness for any such incident and if something happened, it must have been done by his minor kids. Evidently, the tough blasphemous rules in a deeply radicalised society is posing serious threat and challenge to the followers of other religion.
The Joint Awami Action Committee of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir has announced to carry out a long march in pursuit of its struggle for the rights of the region. The long march has been announced for May 11 from Bhimber to the POJK puppet assembly in Muzaffarabad.
The Joint Awami Action Committee has envisaged the long march as history maker towards public oriented law. The committee, through its call for long march has called out the puppet regime to either give rights to the people or give up the power.
Furthermore, the committee has also called upon people to come out of their homes on May 11 and join the struggle in as large numbers as possible. It is worth mentioning that since more than six months, people across POJK are protesting against the Pakistani subjugation and the absolute suspension of human rights.
Struggle around Charter of Demand
They have put forward a Charter of Demands, demanding their fulfillment. Earlier, when the Charter of Demand was released, people from across POJK and from all walks of life held a massive and unprecedented protest against high taxes, load shedding, electricity price hike, wheat flour scarcity among others.
The brutal Pakistani and local puppet regime resorted to power and coercion but the resolute of the people, remained unwavering. For over six months, Kashmiris have boycotted the electricity bills which they often use to make paper boat and float in river or take out their funeral procession as a symbolic protest.
As past protests have shown, the issue of Charter of Demand has converted the sporadic protests into a movement. These protests saw participation and unification of stakeholders like never before. In the last 76 years of occupational history of POJK, this has become the most expansive and participatory protest.
And therefore, the long march to the puppet Assembly with a demand to either give rights or give up power makes it evident that Pakistan is not only facing a rights movement but also a challenge to its occupation if it continues to sideline the matter that are of utmost importance to the people of POJK.
In his first ever rally in Srinagar after the abrogation of Article 370, Prime Minister Modi made every attempt to connect to the people and reach out to them with New Delhi’s positive attitude towards the bright future of Jammu and Kashmir which was lost in the darkness of terrorism and separatism for past many decades. Interestingly, PM Modi didn’t beat around the bush and spoke openly.
While making his address he referred to Jammu and Kashmir as the head of the country, a smart statement showing significance of the UT by drawing parallel to the geographical location. During his rally, PM Modi left no stone unturned to convey the brighter side of abrogation of Article 370 with plethora of promises for upcoming years, reinforcing his announcements with his Modi sanz, Kashmiri word for his famous “Modi ki guarantee” claim.
Clearly after the abrogation of Article 370, New Delhi got an opportunity to fill the gap between J&K and rest of India that persisted because of those constitutional limitations. Regrettably, these limitations, which were presented in front of the common Indian in J&K as something as a safeguard for them, yielded benefit for the political and socio-religious leaders only, while leaving them in dismay and devastation.
As the Prime Minister emphasized, “Jammu and Kashmir has been the biggest victim of dynastic politics since independence. Congress misguided the nation about Article 370 but who did it benefit? Did it benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir or a few political families?”
All this hard work to win your hearts: PM in Srinagar
The speech of the Prime Minister appropriated accolades from across the people present there as the speech seemed more like a dialogue to win the hearts of the people that PM Modi also mentioned. He said, “I am doing all this hard work to win your hearts and I believe that I am on the right path. I will continue my efforts to win your hearts.”
Evidently, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been misguided in the name of freedom for almost seven decades and in the meantime all they got is the realm of terror, separatism which gulped their entire generation. Resultantly, many people who have seen that era of lawlessness and cruelty find it easy to extend faith in central government but at the same time it also cannot be outrightly denied that scepticism persists in some parts of the masses.
But PM Modi reaching out to Srinagar and addressing a rally with huge influx of people shows that this scepticism is low and manageable, and people are ready to listen to any voice that has the potential to take them on the path of development. And that is why he stood in the heart of Kashmir and resolutely hailed the abrogation of Article 370 in front of the people who were affected by it. Therefore, his rally makes it evident that his government has so far succeeded in making a strong impact on the hearts of people. Additionally, the government is continuously working to eradicate the people-to-people detachment that had widened because of the bane of Article 370.
PM’s optimistic posturing through his statement “140 crore citizens feel at peace when they see the smiling faces of the people of Jammu and Kashmir” resonates that fact.
Glimpse from PM’s rally (Photo: Web)
Recognising agriculture & tourism
It is conspicuous that while the government is working to make changes to the mindset of people it knows that it could only be done when a common Indian sitting in some remote village of valley would get opportunities of better life. And so it is infusing capital as investments so that J&K could make pro-development strides.
Recognising the potential of the UT in tourism and agriculture, PM made various announcements and appeals. He announced significant projects totalling nearly Rs 5,000 crore to boost the agricultural sector.
Similarly, for promoting tourism industry PM asked the tourists coming to J&K to spend 10% of their spendings on shopping so that it could contribute to employment generation. He also encouraged NRI’s to participate in ‘Chalo India’ initiative which would help the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir.
The initiatives like ‘Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice Tourist Destination Poll’ and the “Chalo India Global Diaspora” campaign were also unveiled. Notably, the boost to the J&K tourism comes at a time when J&K has witnessed record breaking footfall in 2023 with more than two crore tourists.
Hence, the government of India’s approach towards Jammu and Kashmir that resonated in PM Modi’s Srinagar rally could potentially deliver some of the most significant outcomes that could lead the UT to the fore front of development, growth, tourism and agricultural advancement.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, part of the “Unity Movement”, recently hosted a medical camp, drawing in 189 attendees. A significant portion, 154 individuals, comprised women and children seeking medical assistance. The camp identified various health concerns, with several patients facing worsened chronic conditions.
Of notable concern, 37% of all patients and 78% of women experienced gynecological emergencies, encompassing issues such as infertility, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, PID, UTI, and STDs. Respiratory and autoimmune diseases were also prevalent, affecting a considerable number of attendees.
Among pediatric patients, 47% dealt with conditions like gastritis, URTI, LRTI, and skin diseases. Surprisingly, some individuals with lifestyle-related contradictions displayed hypertension and diabetes. Short-stay treatment was provided for nineteen patients.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee, under the "Unity Movement" has organized a medical camp where 189 people attended the OPD today. Among them, 154 were women and children. Various diseases were observed, with many patients experiencing exacerbations of chronic conditions. Notably,… pic.twitter.com/eoA5kAYfju
— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) March 7, 2024
Regrettably, one lady in respiratory distress requiring nebulization couldn’t receive assistance due to electricity unavailability. While only six people initially registered with scabies, it was later discovered that many more were affected. This highlights the challenges Pak-occupied-Balochistan faces. The lack of medical care and infrastructure is astounding. The elderly are grappling with major health issues, receiving no help from the authorities.
In such dire circumstances, BYC’s effort in organizing the medical camp and serving the community is commendable. Their efforts are shedding light on existing challenges that need urgent intervention. Balochistan has been forcefully occupied by the Pak Army, and since then, the helpless Baloch community has faced innumerable atrocities at the hands of the Pak Army. They endure house raids, abductions, enforced disappearances, indiscriminate killings, and dumpings.
In a distressing turn of events on Thursday, Lakki Marwat district witnessed the loss of two traffic policemen, Hafeezullah and Zaram Khan, in a fatal firing incident. Zaram Khan, critically injured, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while his colleague tragically lost his life on the spot. The assailants’ motives remain shrouded in mystery, further contributing to the escalating law and order challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long grappled with the complex dynamics of persecution by the Pakistan Army and the persistent threat of terrorism. The province finds itself caught between the historical patronage of certain elements by the military and the growing resistance posed by these very elements. Regrettably, this has plunged the Pashtun region into a state of insecurity and devastation.
The region has become a battleground for various interests, leading to a plethora of incidents involving firings, killings, and abductions. The local population bears the brunt of this turmoil, with reports of innocent lives being lost in the crossfire.
Concerns persist as the Pakistan Army benefiting from the volatile situation, appropriating foreign aid under the guise of counterterrorism efforts. While Pakistan Army reaps benefits from them by appropriating dollars on the name of cubing terrorism, it continues to harbour anti-social elements to keep that inflow of foreign money intact.
In a significant development, a court in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh has pronounced a life sentence with a hefty fine for a person found guilty of forced religious conversion. It marks state’s first case where life sentence has been imposed upon the guilty of forced conversion.
The accused, Anis, coerced a Hindu woman into changing her religion and marrying him. The incident unfolded in March 2022 when a woman from Delhi lodged a complaint at the Gulavathi Police Station, alleging that Anis, residing in Delhi, posed as Akash approximately a year ago and subsequently married her. After the marriage, the accused compelled the victim to undergo a religious conversion, renaming her Ayesha. Following this, Anis absconded with jewellery and a sum of one and a half lakh rupees.
Upon filing the complaint, the police swiftly took action, arresting the accused and initiating legal proceedings. The court, after due deliberation, has now deemed Anis guilty, sentencing him to life imprisonment along with a fine of four lakh fifty thousand rupees.
The incident is reminiscent of Love Jihad cases where Hindu girls are being trapped in love trap and then converted or killed in the process.
Recently on March 4, a Baloch youth was forcibly disappeared from the Khuzdar district of Pak-occupied Balochistan by the oppressive Pak Army. This incident occurred while the Pak Army carried out massive operations against Baloch communities during a house-to-house search operation in the Zehri town of Khuzdar of Pakistan-occupied Balochistan.
خضدار سےنوجوان جبری لاپتہ
تنظیم کو شکایت موصول ہوئی ہےکہ 4 مارچ کو فورسز نےزہری ٹاون خضدار سےبلوچ نوجوان بلال احمد ولد استاد محمد بخش کو انکےگھر سےغیر قانونی طریقےسےحراست میں لے کر نامعلوم مقام پر منتقل کردیا اور انتظامیہ اہلخانہ کو بلال کے حوالےسےمعلومات بھی فراہم نہیں کررہا ہے pic.twitter.com/9dI4vK7Bc3
The missing youth is identified as Bilal Ahmed son of Ustad Mohammad Bakhsh Miraji. The oppressive army also attacked women and children during the house raid in the Zehri town of Khuzdar.
In a similar incident, the Pak Army in the Yakbuzi neighbourhood of Khuzdar, during which multiple homes were broken into and individuals were tortured. But there were no reported arrests from the aforementioned raid.
It’s important to note that these are not isolated incidents in Pak-occupied Balochistan and are documented daily, with an increase in cases of enforced disappearances. Since their forceful occupation on March 27, 1948, the Pak has always inflicted violence and atrocities on the Baloch communities.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has declared the launch of the “HumSafar Campaign” in response to the devastating floods in Gwadar, to give vital relief to those affected by the disaster. A three-day relief camp will be established throughout Pak-occupied Balochistan as part of the initiative, and it will start on 7 March 2024.
The campaign is urging people and institutions to generously offer their support. They have urged people to donate food, water filtration equipment, tents, blankets, medications, and supplies for the younger population to help the flood victims through this difficult time.
BYC team visits Jiwani
Recently on March 4, the BYC visited Jiwani (Gwadar) to assess the damage caused by the recent flooding in the region. The committee, while expressing solidarity with the impacted population, calls on Baloch communities around the world to actively participate in efforts to lessen the suffering of those affected by the Gwadar floods. It encourages people to make a contribution based on their ability to support the rehabilitation process.
Tensions among the impacted population have increased as a result of the brutal Pakistan Army and their Chinese ally’s projects blocking the natural water flow, which has caused the city to flood. The Pak establishment has long ignored and marginalized the Baloch community and neglected them in times of crisis. By prolonging a cycle of oppression and violence, the government’s actions have worsened the suffering of the Baloch people rather than assisting them when needed.
In a distressing turn of events, Hussain Afridi, a Pashtun activist and central member of the Khyber District Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), and his brother Siddique Afridi, were abducted by unknown gunmen at 2 p.m. on March 5.
The abduction took a sinister turn when a ransom demand of 2 crore rupees was conveyed through WhatsApp. PTM, in a swift response, has accused the Pakistani establishment of orchestrating the abduction, adding fuel to the existing tensions between the movement and the establishment.
The Khyber unit of PTM has issued a stern warning, stating that if Hussain and Siddique are not released promptly, they will initiate a protest strike. The unit plans to block all roads in Khyber as part of the demonstration, with the full endorsement of the affected family.
Enforced disappearances have long been a contentious issue in Pakistan as Pakistan Army employs this tactic to stifle dissenting voices and curb activism. PTM, a movement advocating for the rights of the Pashtun community, has consistently been at odds with the Pakistani establishment over issues ranging from inhumane leadership to terror patronization and severe persecution in the region.
The abduction of Pashtun activist Hussain and his brother Siddique Afridi adds another layer to the struggle between PTM and the establishment. Calls for the immediate release of the abducted brothers have escalated, and concerns over the safety of activists in the region are growing. The situation remains tense as the PTM Khyber unit contemplates further actions to press for the release of its members.
In a significant development, religious bodies in Leh have called for a Ladakh bandh in response to the breakdown of talks between the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The deadlock emerged as LAB and KDA insisted on the full implementation of the Sixth Schedule and demanded statehood during recent Sub-Committee meetings and discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had initially conceded to Ladakh’s demand for a Public Services Commission (PSC) and partial implementation of the Sixth Schedule through elected Hill Development Councils. However, the impasse arose as LAB and KDA insisted on direct implementation of the Sixth Schedule and statehood.
Speaking to the media, Chering Dorjey Lakruk, co-chairman of Leh Apex Body, stated that progress had been made on setting up the PSC for Ladakh, although the Ministry wanted to implement some parts of the Sixth Schedule indirectly. The deadlock primarily revolved around the demands for statehood and the full implementation of the Sixth Schedule, leading to the calls of Ladakh bandh.
MHA urges dialogue amidst call for Ladakh bandh
Despite the breakdown in talks, the Home Ministry urged continuous dialogue to provide necessary constitutional safeguards to the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Educationist and social reformer Sonam Wangchuk has announced his intention to go on a fast in protest against the failure of the talks. Additionally, a rally has been planned in Leh to express dissent.
LAB and KDA leaders, who are expected to return to Ladakh shortly, have pledged to engage with the local populace to discuss the future course of action following the unsuccessful negotiations.
Over the past two years, LAB and KDA leaders have held several rounds of meetings with the Union Home Ministry, focusing on a four-point agenda that includes statehood, Sixth Schedule implementation, the establishment of a Public Services Commission, and the allocation of two Parliamentary seats for Ladakh.
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