By 
26-02-2024
Eleonora Bruno
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence
In Pakistan, blasphemy carries the penalty of death, as illustrated by the recent incident. Last Monday, an enraged crowd in Lahore targeted a woman, after being accused of blasphemy, since she was wearing a dress adorned with Arabic calligraphy, mistakenly believing it contained Quranic verses. Fortunately, prompt police intervention prevented potential tragedy, as tensions rose, rescuing her from potential harm and highlighting the need for vigilance. Religious scholars confirmed the innocuous nature of the dress’s calligraphy, vindicating the woman. The Arabic text on her dress, reading “Halwa,” meaning beautiful, was misconstrued. Authorities emphasised the misunderstanding and the woman’s innocence, urging restraint. The escalating situation unfolded when hundreds gathered, requesting the woman to remove her shirt and demanding her punishment. Chants for beheadings echoed in the crowd, reflecting the severity of blasphemy accusations. The involvement of Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan supporters heightened risks, reflecting broader societal tensions. Police efforts to de-escalate were crucial, specifically thanks to Assistant Superintendent Shehrbano, who negotiated the woman’s safety amidst mounting tensions.
Despite her public apology, the incident reflects the dangerous climate surrounding blasphemy allegations and underscores Pakistan’s stringent blasphemy laws, where accusations can incite deadly violence. Similar incidents underscore the volatile nature of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan. Blasphemy-related violence isn’t uncommon, some face lynching even before trial. Indeed, although most convictions are thrown out on appeal by higher courts, vigilante mobs have lynched dozens of people even before a case is put on trial. According to local media and researchers, at least 85 people have been murdered in relation to blasphemy allegations since 1990. Therefore, the woman’s ordeal underscores the urgency of addressing misconceptions and safeguarding individuals’ rights amidst heightened religious sensitivities.
Sources and further readings:
BBC, Caroline Davies. ‘Pakistan woman in Arabic script dress saved from mob claiming blasphemy’ (26 February 2024) <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68399822> [Accessed 26 February 2024].
Dawn, Asif Chaudhry. ‘Girl in Arabic print shirt saved from mob by Lahore police’ (26 February 2024) <https://www.dawn.com/news/1817188> [Accessed 26 February 2024].
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