shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > News > World News > Article > Blasphemy on Facebook puts 30 year old Pakistan man on death row

Blasphemy on Facebook puts 30-year-old Pakistan man on death row

Updated on: 13 June,2017 08:32 AM IST  |  Lahore
Agencies |

A man belonging to the minority Shia community in Pakistan has been sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court for posting blasphemous content on Facebook, the first capital punishment handed down for blasphemy on social media in the country

Blasphemy on Facebook puts 30-year-old Pakistan man on death row

Representation pic/thinkstockRepresentation pic/thinkstock


A man belonging to the minority Shia community in Pakistan has been sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court for posting blasphemous content on Facebook, the first capital punishment handed down for blasphemy on social media in the country.


The sentence is the harshest among cyber-crime related sentences handed down so far in the country. Pakistan has never executed anyone convicted of blasphemy.


Judge Shabir Ahmed of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Punjab province's Bahawalpur district announced the sentence for 30-year-old Taimoor Raza on Saturday after holding him guilty of posting derogatory content on Facebook.

According to the Counter Terrorism Department of Punjab Police, Raza, who hails from Okara, some 200 km from Lahore, was arrested last year at Bahawalpur following complaints by his co-workers that he had shared blasphemous content on Facebook. Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive issue in Pakistan where 97 per cent of the population is Muslim.

Pakistan's tough blasphemy law has attracted criticism from rights groups, who say they are frequently misused to settle personal scores.

Pakistan last year passed a controversial cyber crime bill (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016) that proposed strict punishment for cyber crime offences.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK