JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 22, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
Five Pakistani activists who made international headlines when they went missing earlier this year were cleared of blasphemy charges Friday, a lawyer said.
The men, who used social media to stand against religious intolerance and at times criticized Pakistan's powerful military, vanished within days of each other in January, sparking fears of a state crackdown.
Four of them have since been released, with some accusing their captors of torture. No group claimed responsibility for their abduction, and Pakistan's government and military have denied involvement.
But during their disappearance, a virulent social media campaign to paint them as blasphemers began, triggering a flood of threats.
Blasphemy is a criminal offense in Pakistan and can carry the death penalty, though the state has never executed someone convicted of it.
But even mere accusations can spark mob lynchings and vigilante murders. Observers have said the allegations alone were enough to put the five activists' lives in danger.
On Friday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told the Islamabad High Court it could find no evidence against the five men.
"The FIA officials told the court it ... seems the five bloggers were not involved in blasphemy," Tariq Asad, one of the lawyers bringing the charge against the activists, told AFP.
"The judge remarked that no innocent person should be implicated in a false case of blasphemy," Asad said.
The campaign against the missing men spotlighted how extremist efforts to muzzle liberal voices using Pakistan's draconian laws have found a powerful new platform online, rights activists say.
The result is often self-censorship, and in the wake of the allegations, a number of liberal commentators shut down their accounts completely.
Ahmad Waqas Goraya, one of the activists who was released and lives in the Netherlands, told AFP the court should now investigate why Pakistan's mainstream media repeated the dangerous claims against him without proof.
He has previously accused Pakistan's security establishment of abducting and torturing him, and said Friday's ruling "has at least questioned the full impunity that the agencies enjoy."
Rights groups say Pakistani activists and journalists often find themselves caught between the country's security establishment and Islamist militant groups like the Taliban. - AFP
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.