24 women held under blasphemy laws in Punjab prisons, reveals RTI data

LAHORE: The Punjab Prisons Inspectorate has released detailed official data confirming that 24 women are currently held in prisons across Punjab under blasphemy laws. The information was issued in response to a Right to Information (RTI) application, submitted by Advocate Sarmad Ali under the Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act.

According to the record shared by the prison authorities, out of the 24 women, 18 are under trial, three have been convicted, and three are on death row. The RTI reply further stated that a total of 15 women are presently listed as death-row prisoners under blasphemy-related cases in Punjab prisons.

The official response did not include case-specific details, the nature of allegations, or the names and locations of the inmates, but verified that the figures reflect the current prison data maintained by the Inspectorate of Punjab Prisons.

Advocate Sarmad Ali said that every accused individual is entitled to constitutional protections regarding legal proceedings. “Free and fair trial is the right of every citizen under the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, and they must be provided a fair judicial process,” he stated after receiving the information.