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It would be false to say Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are being misused exactly. That would imply there could ever be a proper use for them.
However, it is certainly true to say Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are being exploited. Some people are using these laws to attack and take advantage of others – with horrifying results.
One way this can happen is with a straightforward land grab as a new HRW report makes clear.
Somebody wants a piece of land where others are currently living. The person encourages a rumor someone in the area said something blasphemous. Social media pings it everywhere in an unstoppable instant. And boom: extreme public outrage results in an explosion of violence and threats of violence against individuals and the surrounding community.
People flee, and the patch of land is suddenly available.
Blasphemy laws fuel the fires by officially sanctioning the idea a real crime has been committed and making the mob feel it has right on its side. This is reinforced by the fact authorities rarely arrest and prosecute those using violence against people accused of blasphemy.
The lack of a proper land record system in Pakistan also helps the land grabbers. What’s taken by force or skullduggery can simply be kept.
And it’s not just about land grabs. Blasphemy accusations are used for extortion and blackmail, as well. Those cashing in on the blasphemy business are particularly targeting religious minorities and other economically marginalized communities.
Blasphemy accusations against Christians and Ahmadis, for example, have long incited mob violence and forced entire communities to flee their homes. Accusers, who often have ties to political groups, also routinely weaponize blasphemy accusations to harm rival businesses owned and run by religious minorities.
Whatever anyone says the purpose of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws is, surely it’s not to make the rich richer and the poor poorer through mob violence.
As long as these laws exist, however, people will keep making an ugly business out of them.
