Cartoonists tread fine line in land of blasphemy laws

JournalismPakistan.com | Published January 10, 2015

Join our WhatsApp channel

Cartoonists tread fine line in land of blasphemy laws

ISLAMABAD: In the face of Pakistan's prolific use of blasphemy laws and a culture of political violence, cartoonists must tread a thin line. But they do find ways to poke fun at the powerful -- including religious extremists.

Pakistan is consistently ranked one the world's most dangerous countries for journalists, with reporters often caught between powerful spy agencies and Islamist militants.

Without subscribing to all the ideas of Charlie Hebdo's satirists killed this week for their depictions of Prophet Mohammed, the country's caricaturists have sustained a proud, decades long tradition of pushing the envelope of free speech.

"Everybody has a red line. I can make cartoons against terrorism, terrorists but not about the Prophet," said Rafique Ahmad (pictured), who is known by the pen name "Feica" and is regarded as a legend among Pakistani cartoonists.

"I have drawn lots of cartoons about bigots, fanatics, these fundamentalists," added Feica, who began his career in the late seventies during the harsh rule of Islamist General Zia ul-Haq when censorship was rife.

In Pakistan, the controversial blasphemy law carries the death penalty for those who insult Prophet Mohammed.

There are currently 14 languishing on death row for the charge, while mobs often carry out their own form of justice as was the case when a Christian couple were burnt to death at a brick kiln last November.

Though the constitution guarantees freedom of expression, it is ring-fenced: attacks against the "glory of Islam" and the "security" of the country are strictly prohibited.

"Self-censorship is everywhere" said Feica.

Caught between a powerful military that has led three coups in the country's history and the rising menace of Islamist extremists who have waged an insurgency against the state for more than a decade, cartoonists are careful to lampoon concepts without making things too personal.

"If you target militants, extremists or Taliban it is OK but if you target a specific person... then that becomes a personal vendetta and chances of attacking you increase," said veteran cartoonist Sabir Nazar.

A few years ago, he received threats after drawing a caricature of the radical Red Mosque in Islamabad, the scene of a bloody army operation in 2007 and now the focal point of a "Reclaim Our Mosque" movement after a bloody Taliban attack on a Peshawar school last month.

In Pakistan, where 45 percent of the population is illiterate, the English-language press remains the preserve of a minority urban educated readership, unlike the Urdu newspapers which sell hundreds of thousands of copies everyday.

Cartoons are therefore tailored for their audience. The Urdu press is more nationalist, religious, conservative and popular than English and cartoonists do not enjoy the same level of freedom.

"My code is very strict: I don't touch subjects like religion and sex. These are two subjects we are not supposed to touch. The common man has so many problems (in this country) so I have always focused on the common man," said Jawed Iqbal, a cartoonist for the daily Jang, the country's most read paper.

Rolling power outages, gas shortages, a Kafkaesque bureaucracy, and political rivalries provide the bulk of material for cartoonists such as Iqbal.

Iqbal, like the other cartoonists, expressed deep sympathy at the killings of his French counterparts.

"But I don't know why they have touched the subject which can affect millions of people. They shouldn't touch that subject," he said. - AFP

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.

Newsroom

219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, PJS reports

May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.

Pakistan's Flying Horse: How Samiullah Khan changed hockey forever

May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.

Algerian TV channel suspended for 10 days over racist slur against African migrants

May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.

NCHR and MMfD launch Fellowship to Empower Journalists on Digital Rights & Gender Inclusion

May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!

'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings

April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.