Convicts also receive 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and fines
Two Men Sentenced to Death in Sahiwal Blasphemy Case
SAHIWAL: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday handed down death sentences to two men convicted in a blasphemy case, while also imposing 22 years of rigorous imprisonment and fines of Rs 550,000 each.
The case was lodged at Kameer Police Station following a complaint by a local resident, regarding an alleged blasphemy incident that occurred on July 17, 2024, with the FIR registered four months later. The complaint was supported by testimonies from two local witnesses.
Charges and Verdict
The court found the convicts guilty of violating:
- Sections 295-A and 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code
- Sections 7/9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997
- Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016
In its detailed verdict, the court separately sentenced each individual to death under Section 295-C, alongside:
- 10 years imprisonment under Section 295-A
- 7 years under PECA 2016
- 5 years with a fine of Rs 50,000 under ATA 1997
- Fines totaling Rs 500,000 under Section 295-C
Sahiwal Blasphemy Cases on the Rise
A senior police official in Sahiwal stated that 22 blasphemy-related cases have been registered in the district so far in 2025.
This verdict is considered one of the harshest punishments handed down under blasphemy provisions this year, reflecting the judiciary’s stringent stance on such offenses.
Recent Precedents
Earlier in 2025, a Rawalpindi court sentenced five men to death and life imprisonment in a separate blasphemy case, totaling 100 years of prison terms. Another case saw four men sentenced to death for posting blasphemous content online in February, signaling strict enforcement under electronic crimes laws.