Freedom of Speech vs. Religious Sensitivities: The Dilemma of Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan

Abstract

This paper focuses on the issue of freedom of speech and religion in the environment of blasphemy in Pakistan. Despite the fact that these laws are enacted to protect the feeling of religious people, more often than not, these laws run counter to the fundamental right of free speech, which constitutes a major socio-legal issue. Utilizing the historical analysis of the legal changes and case studies, the study also reveals the experiences of the vulnerable persons in the uncertain territory. The paper focuses on the patterns of implementing blasphemy laws and their consequences, opportunities for public discussion, freedom of thought, and media freedoms. It also looks at the socio-political factors that harness these laws for self or party gain, leading to a clamp down on the people’s right to free speech. Furthermore, it analyzes how compliant Pakistan is with the global human rights conventions and measures the nation’s laws against the international ones. Thus, discussing the legal amendments and presenting the argument for a pragmatism-based approach that could embrace both human rights to free speech and religious minorities’ concerns, the present paper is submitted to policy debates and pursuit of a more tolerant society’s justice.