A local court in Rawalpindi sentenced five men to death and 100 years in prison for sharing blasphemous content online.
The court found them guilty of spreading highly offensive material, also issuing life sentences for desecrating the Holy Quran and inciting religious hatred. A complaint led to a raid, resulting in the arrest of the main suspect, with four others identified through his account.
Read more: YouTuber Rajab Butt charged with blasphemy over perfume ‘295’
The sentences will be served concurrently, with the accused having the right to appeal. This case highlights the rising number of blasphemy-related charges in Pakistan, often driven by private vigilante groups monitoring online activity.
The ruling coincides with another blasphemy case involving YouTuber Rajab Butt, who faces up to 10 years in prison for launching a perfume named “295,” referencing Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
With online blasphemy cases increasing, rights activists have expressed concerns over vigilante groups’ growing influence and the potential misuse of these laws.
