The Case of Farhan Javed: Misuse of Blasphemy Legal guidelines in Pakistan

Pakistan’s blasphemy legal guidelines have more and more turn into a instrument to persecute people, together with those that are mentally unwell. On January 26, 2025, police arrested Farhan Javed, a Christian man in Sahiwal, Punjab, as soon as once more highlighting the alarming pattern of weaponizing blasphemy accusations for private vendettas, settling scores, or focusing on weak people.

Farhan Javed, a mentally unwell man from Sahiwal, Punjab, had attended nursing faculty for 4 years earlier than growing psychological well being points as a result of unknown causes. He lived together with his mom and siblings, together with his youthful brother Junaid, who can also be mentally challenged. On January 26, 2025, Muhammad Bilal, an area villager, filed a criticism towards Farhan, alleging that whereas working in his area, Farhan approached him and used derogatory language towards Islam and its prophets. Bilal claimed he fled the scene when he tried to confront Farhan.

Regardless of figuring out that Farhan was mentally unwell, the police registered a First Data Report (FIR) bearing quantity 224/25 towards him below Sections 295-A and 298-A of the PPC and arrested him.

This case highlights the blatant disregard for due course of and the vulnerability of people with psychological well being points within the face of blasphemy accusations. Farhan’s arrest has left his household in despair as they battle to navigate a authorized system that usually fails to guard the rights of the accused.

The Misuse of Blasphemy Legal guidelines:

In observe, blasphemy accusations are sometimes used to focus on non secular minorities, together with Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis, in addition to dissenting Muslims. False accusations are regularly made to settle private disputes, seize property, or intimidate weak communities. As soon as an accusation is made, the accused faces authorized penalties and the specter of mob violence, usually with out due course of or proof.

It’s not unusual for the accused to be killed by mobs and even by the police. Reviews in Pakistani media have revealed that sure teams exploit the blasphemy legal guidelines as a way to blackmail households of the accused for cash or property.

Current instances illustrate the risks of those legal guidelines. In Might 2024, Nazir Masih, 70, was killed by a mob in Sargodha’s Mujahid Colony over the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran. Equally, Dr. Shahnawaz was killed whereas in police custody.

Spiritual minorities in Pakistan are disproportionately affected by blasphemy legal guidelines. Practically half of all blasphemy instances in Pakistan goal non-Muslims, who make up lower than 4% of the inhabitants. The mere accusation of blasphemy can pressure whole households to flee their properties, abandon their livelihoods, or go into hiding. In September 2023, a Hindu temple in Sindh was vandalized after an area Hindu man was accused of blasphemy.

We request our readers and supporters to please preserve Farhan Javed and his household in your prayers.