Women activists in Pakistan facing blasphemy allegations after ‘Aurat March’

In yet another case of unjust use of the laws in Pakistan, two courts have asked authorities toregister cases against organisers of last month’s Pakistan’s Women’s March for violating theblasphemy law.The controversial blasphemy law in Pakistan, which long have been used to subjugate the minoritiesin the country, carries a potential death sentence for anyone who insults IslamThe Aurat March is an annually-held demonstration, organised in various cities of Pakistan toobserve International Women’s Day. A petition seeking to ban the annual gathering has also beenlodged with the Islamabad High Court.The petitioner accused that blasphemous slogans were used during the Women’s March. However,the organisers have clarified that the participants of the march did not raise such slogans and theirvideo was doctored to defame their struggle.“Pakistan is not a democratic state but a religious state where clerics wield a lot of influence,” MehdiHassan, a former chairperson of Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission said.“Hurling allegations of blasphemy amounts to jeopardizing the lives of people here. We fear that thelives of women activists are in danger because there are so many extremists out there in the streetswho could target them at any time. At least seven people have been killed just because ofblasphemy allegations. Therefore, it is important that the government provides them [the activists]with protection,” she said.Lahore-based activist Shazia Khan said friends and relatives have pressured them to maintain a lowprofile following the accusations and legal cases.“Hatemongers and misogynistic media personalities have been spewing venom against us,jeopardizing the lives of women in a country where people are killed merely due to false accusationsof blasphemy,” she said.“All the videos and posters have been fabricated or doctored. There is no truth to theseaccusations,” prominent activist Farzana Bari said.Organizers of the march have also written an open letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan in order todraw his attention to the threats.Even the terrorist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan publicly threatened the organizers on Twitter.The tweet said, “Fix your ways. There are still many young Muslims here who know how to protectIslam and the boundaries set by Allah.”

Tags: Pakistan, Aurat March, blasphemy law, Imran Khan, International Women’s Day