In a chilling revelation, a local police report suggests that vigilantes in Pakistan may be driven by financial incentives to hunt down individuals accused of blasphemy online. Aroosa Khan’s son was ensnared in this web when he was falsely accused of committing blasphemy in a WhatsApp group. These vigilante groups, supported by lawyers and volunteers, scour the internet for offenders and have led to the arrest and prosecution of many young professionals in Pakistan.
The most prominent group, the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan (LCBP), claims to be prosecuting over 300 cases in the name of a ‘noble cause’. However, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised concerns about these vigilante groups, accusing them of having vested agendas and fabricating evidence.
The accused face dire consequences, with their families being ostracized and forced to sell assets to defend them in court. Despite the ease of sharing content online, many believe that the rise in blasphemy cases is a result of misuse of the laws. Arafat Mazhar, director of Alliance Against Blasphemy Politics, emphasizes the need for an independent commission to investigate the vigilante groups. In a society where accusations of blasphemy can lead to abandonment by loved ones, the accused face an uphill battle for justice.
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