31 October 2018: Political rally, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Religious party: ‘[chant] Behead All Blasphemers! Storyville: The Accused: Damned or Devoted? BBC 2020
‘If anyone challenges the Holy Prophet or challenges his status as The Final Prophet that is considered blasphemy under Shariah law. This is such a serious offense, it is unforgivable.’ ibid. religious dude
The Blasphemy Law was introduced under British Rule in 1860 and was intended to protect all religions in the Indian subcontinent. The maximum penalty was 10 years in prison plus a fine. In 1986 President Zia Ul Haq’s government added a new provision to the law: it introduced the death penalty for blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). Since 1986 there have been over 1,500 cases of blasphemy in Pakistan. ibid.
Violent incidents have taken place in courts in Pakistan. Many of those who defended people accused of blasphemy have been murdered. ibid.
An estimated 40% of the blasphemy cases are against religious minorities. They form only 3% of the population. ibid.
In 2010 Asia Bibi was the first Christian woman to be sentenced to death for blasphemy. ibid.