Man jailed for life in blasphemy case

RAWALPINDI: A local court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs500,000 in a blasphemy case.

The case, registered under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, was filed by complainant Kamran Khan on September 4 last year. According to the complaint, accused Muhammad Arif, 50, openly uttered blasphemous words in the Lalkurti area late at night. The complainant alleged the incident occurred while the complainant was present at a hotel with his friends and other witnesses also heard the offensive remarks, which deeply hurt the religious sentiments of those present.

After completing the trial, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Rawalpindi, Irfan Akram, handed down the verdict, sentencing the accused to life imprisonment and imposing a fine of Rs500,000. If the accused fails to pay the fine, he will face an additional six months in prison.