Over the years various incidences have marred the injustice of this law and has

protected the people who have committed crimes against minorities. Incidents have

ranged from the burning of villages for the refusal of conversion to Islam to property

ownership disputes, to the false accusations of individuals for whatever reason. The

blasphemy law protects the majority of the population of Pakistan by allowing them

to exercise this law’s power over minorities. Here, it is important to acknowledge

that the majority refers to the Muslim population. The law also enables the anti-social

elements of the Muslim society to legally take action against members of minorities

and misuse the law for their own selfish whims. This along with the high level of

corruption in the country prevents justice to be served for the minorities. The pro-

social Muslims that wish to aid the minorities, are hindered to do so because of the

fear of being framed as blasphemers. This law mainly affects lower and mid levels of

society, hence not allowing for minorities to move up to a position of any significant

power.

Now for a much needed history and civics lesson…The blasphemy law was introduced in

the late 1970’s by Gen. Zia-Ul-Haq in order to gain popularity among the pro-Islamic

political parties and pave way for the encouragement of the opening of religion based

primary education facilities. This led to the alienation of the youth and the decline in

the education level of the population. Where children across the world are educated in

the working of the world, students of the “Madrassas” are educated in the teachings of

Islam and are manipulated to abide by the regulations of the blasphemy law.

So how does this really affect you and me?