ersistent use of blasphemy allegations and the impunity for mob violence highlight the entrenched mechanisms of control and discrimination that need to be dismantled in the interest of social justice.

Last week, a resolution was passed by the National Assembly, condemning the Swat mob lynching. Superficially, this resolution signals a unified stance against hate-related violence. However, its actual effectiveness depends on whether or not it leads to tangible actions to protect minority rights, strengthen legal frameworks and ensure swift justice for perpetrators. Its impact will inevitably be measured by the reduction in such incidents and improved security for minority communities.

Minorities in Pakistan have faced significant risks due to a combination of socio-political, legal and cultural factors. The mob lynching incident in Swat, is only one of the most recent examples of the threats faced by minority citizens in particular and those accused of blasphemy in general. On June 21, a man was burnt alive by an enraged mob in the Madyan area of Swat. Trouble had started when the tourist from Sialkot was accused of desecration of a sacred text. He was arrested by the police and taken to the Madyan police station. However, a large mob, incited by announcements from local mosques, besieged the police station and demanded that the man be handed over to them. The police tried to deter and disperse the crowd by firing into the air. However, the mob beat back the police, set fire to the police station and dragged him out. He was brutally beaten and set on fire. Later, his body was hanged.

Several incidents of brutal mob violence were reported last year. A mob attacked the Christian community in Jaranwala, Faisalabad, after accusations of blasphemy against two people. The mob set fire to at least five churches and numerous homes. Another mob attack occurred in Faisalabad. It targeted a Christian settlement after blasphemy accusations.

Such incidents highlight the failure of law enforcement to protect minority communities and hold the perpetrators of hate crime accountable. In July 2023, a mob had vandalised an Ahmadi place of worship in Karachi. Instead of protecting the community, the authorities had charged several Ahmadi individuals with blasphemy. In Turbat, a teacher named Abdul Rauf was killed by unknown assailants following blasphemy allegations. A man accused of desecrating sacred text was dragged out of a police station by a vigilante mob and beaten to death.

These incidents are glaring reminders of the volatility and the harm associated with blasphemy accusations in Pakistan. The danger underscores the urgent need for legal reform as well as manifest political will to protect the minorities and those accused of blasphemy. The impunity with which vigilante mobs act exacerbates the threat to vulnerable communities.

The resolution passed by the National Assembly condemning the mob lynching incident in Swat is an important gesture reflecting the government’s stance against such actions.

There are several reasons for endangering minority communities. The hudood laws contain the offence of blasphemy. This is frequently misused to target religious minorities. These laws, particularly Section 295-C of the Penal Code, carry severe penalties, including the death penalty, and are often used to settle personal scores or incite mob violence. Such accusations can lead to deadly consequences for the accused and their communities. There is a pervasive climate of impunity where perpetrators of violence against minorities often go unpunished.

This lack of accountability reinforces a culture of intolerance and deadly violence. Sectarian violence against Shia Muslims, Ahmedis, Christians and Hindus is also a recurring problem. Highlighting of historical and ongoing sectarian conflicts contributes to an environment where minorities are frequently attacked. Many minority groups, including low-income Christians and Hindus, face socio-economic marginalisation and discrimination, which exacerbates their vulnerability to violence and injustice.

The resolution passed by the National Assembly is therefore an important gesture in that it reflects the government’s stance against such violence. However, there is an apprehension of tokenism. For the resolution to have a tangible impact, it must be followed by strict enforcement of law to protect all minority communities.

This includes holding perpetrators of hate crime accountable and ensuring that law enforcement agencies act decisively to prevent mob violence. The resolution should also be a precursor to meaningful legal reforms. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are frequently misused, and their vague nature often leads to violence against minorities. Repealing or amending these laws to prevent their misuse is crucial. Long-term change requires addressing the root causes of intolerance and violence. Educational campaigns promoting religious tolerance and the rule of law can help change societal attitudes and reduce the likelihood of mob violence. Ensuring that those who commit acts of violence against minorities are prosecuted and punished is essential. Impunity for such crimes only encourages similar actions.

While the resolution is a positive step, its full impact will be determined by the actions that follow. In the absence of concrete measures to enforce the relevant laws, protect minorities, and address the underlying issues, the resolution is unlikely to prevent mob violence and protect vulnerable communities in Pakistan.

The writer is the CEO at ZAK Casa and Verde as well as a managing partner at a law firm, namely Lex Mercatoria