Christian woman arrested in Pakistan for alleged blasphemy

A Christian woman was arrested in Lahore for blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The arrest followed an FIR filed at North Cantonment police station, Lahore, by Asif Ali, a local trader.

According to the FIR, Ali reported that around 6:30 am on June 4, Jamila Jacob, a Christian woman, went to his store to buy Sunsilk shampoo. She requested another brand after being dissatisfied with the product. Ali alleges that Jacob began making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after noticing an Islamic religious inscription in the store. Ali also alleges that Jacob went on to say, “Jesus Christ is better than your prophet” and continued to make blasphemous comments. The FIR states that there were witnesses there, including Wajid Ali, Usman Ali and other traders.

Jacob was arrested from her home based on the complaint, and an FIR was promptly registered under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. This article states that blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad carries heavy penalties, including the death penalty. Jacob is said to be mentally disabled and has been placed in detention due to rising tensions in the area.

There have been conflicting accounts from eyewitnesses and neighbors, suggesting that the altercation did not occur as reported, was actually minor and did not involve any profanity-laced remarks. Despite this, Ali's complaint led to Jacob's arrest, which sparked a swift and severe community response. A crowd gathered and demanded his arrest as news of the alleged blasphemy spread.

Human rights organizations and civil society groups say it is not uncommon for Pakistan's blasphemy laws to target religious minorities and settle their personal scores. They demand a thorough and impartial investigation and the immediate release of Jacob.

Director of CLAAS-UK, Nasir Saeed expressed his deep concern over the entire situation and mentioned that this is not an isolated incident. Stressing that in recent months, at least three cases of blasphemy have been recorded.

There was also a recent attack in Sargodha, in which Nazir Masih's house and shoe factory were burned before he was tortured and died in hospital. Saeed mentioned that the memorial service held on June 5 in the Mujahid colony of Sargodha was a somber reminder of the continuing violence against Christians in Pakistan.

Today, this most recent case against Jacob is causing fear within the Christian community who feel increasingly insecure. Saeed said Christians are still reeling from the Jaranwala incident, where despite numerous arrests, most of the suspects were released on bail. “The government's failure to form a judicial commission has left the Christian community disappointed and unprotected,” Saeed said in a press release.

In 2024, Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors' global watch list of the hardest places to be a Christian. The commonality of blasphemy laws to settle personal grudges has become increasingly common, with little action from the government to ensure the safety of residents.

Christians in Pakistan are calling for urgent legal reforms to limit the use of blasphemy laws and ensure the protection of all citizens.

The national and international community is closely monitoring Pakistan's handling of Jamila Jacob's case.