Blasphemy: Pakistani singer targeted over song posted on social media
Islamabad/IBNS: While the world is engaged in combating COVID-19 outbreak, Pakistan's hardline Islamists are active. They are misusing the blasphemy law to target any voice of protest.
The latest addition is the case of a Shia singer from Sindh region, Zamin Ali.
A local shopkeeper Muhammad Ibrahim Mashwani filed a blasphemy case against Zamin Ali after watching one of his videos on Facebook, with the lyrics of the song outraging Mashwani, reported Pakistan Today.
The blasphemy laws have been criticised by global rights groups, including many Muslim activists, maintaining Pakistan’s blasphemy laws persecute religious minorities and dissidents, reported the newspaper.
A senior police official told The News International that though the FIR had been registered, no arrest had been made.
The singer was reportedly made to apologise and remove the song from social media accounts.
The song was titled 'Dushman Zehra 2020' on the singer's Youtube and Facebook page.
Self-proclaimed defenders of Islam-Deobandi sect- claimed that the song contained derogatory remarks against Sahaba Karam (R.A).
Aurangzeb Farooqi, central president of the proscribed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Sindh, in his video message, threatened that this attitude by Shia sect would not be tolerated anymore and it might lead to sectarian clash, sources said.
He demanded Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and the government take action against the singer.
Deobandi sect supporters had also initiated social media campaign against Zamin Ali and demanded strict action and arrest.
Human rights activists have often attacked Pakistan's blasphemy law.
“It is an open fact that trial courts in Pakistan rarely acquit accused in blasphemy cases,” veteran activist IA Rehman, the former general secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) told Pakistan Today.
Human Rights Watch last year said: "The blasphemy law is often brought against members of religious minorities, frequently to settle personal disputes. But the government rarely brings charges against those responsible for physical attacks on people accused of blasphemy."
"Pakistan’s government should repeal sections 295 and 298 of the penal code, which includes the blasphemy law and the law discriminating against the Ahmadiyya religious community. The government should also promptly and appropriately prosecute those responsible for planning and carrying out attacks against religious minorities," it said.
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