Christian community stages demo against death penalty awarded to youth

People belonging to the Christian community staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday against the death sentence handed down to a Christian man by a court on blasphemy charges.

A blasphemy case was filed against a Christian youth in Sahiwal for allegedly sharing a blasphemous image on his TikTok account that sparked a mob attack in Jaranwala on August 16, 2023, where several churches and residences of members of the Christian community were ransacked by a charged mob.

Ehsan was arrested and shifted to jail on judicial remand after police filed an FIR against him under sections 295-A and 295-B, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, and Section 11 of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016.

Later on Saturday, Ehsan Masih was sentenced to death by a court in Sahiwal, Punjab province, for allegedly sharing blasphemous content on social media. After the court’s order, a large number of Christian community gathered outside the KPC and staged a protest against the court’s verdict and in favour of Ehsan Masih. A large number of women also participated in the protest.

The protest was organised by the Christian community, Minority Rights March and civil society groups. Protesters held banners in their hands and shouted slogans against the death sentence. They appealed to the court and the higher authorities to reconsider the decision.