Blasphemy in Sargodha
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan expressed surprise after learning of an agreement between a private organization and the district commissioner of Sargodha. This agreement aimed to monitor areas predominantly inhabited by the Christian community to check for blasphemous content.
Subsequently, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, leading a three-judge SC bench, ordered the DC of Sargodha to appear before the court. The Judge also sought a copy of the agreement for the court’s review.
The Supreme Court sought a copy of Blasphemy in Sargodha agreement during a hearing on Friday.
The court came to know this matter during the hearing of the Jaranwala incidents on Friday. On August 16, 20 churches and over a dozen homes of Christians were torched and looted.
Samual Makson Pyara, Director of Human Rights at the Voice of Christians International, had mentioned the agreement. This agreement required the establishment of committees to monitor areas where Christians reside. The committees were also required to monitor blasphemous activities.
Mr. Pyara argued that it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, not private organizations, to monitor areas where Christians reside.
The SC also took note of the formation of a JIT to investigate the Jaranwala incident. The court directed Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to provide a progress report about this tragic incident.
Additionally, the court instructed the Punjab government to submit a report detailing the properties that were damaged, attacked, or had their belongings stolen or looted.
Justice Ahsan emphasized that hate speech is a criminal offense under Pakistani law. He directed the Home Department and the IG Punjab to report the number of FIRs filed against hate material targeting minorities.
The applicant also brought up a court order from May 11, 2018. It stipulated that Christians should be addressed as ‘maseehi’ and not ‘easai.’ Despite this order, a ‘Welfare Centre for Easai Communities’ was established in Jaranwala.
The court instructed the relevant DCO to coordinate with the IG and inform him about the court order.
