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| British pensioner on Pakistan's death row on blasphemy charge shot by policeman | |
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| A British pensioner who was sentenced to death after being convicted of blasphemy, has been shot and injured by a policeman inside the Pakistani jail where the 70-year-old was on death row. | A British pensioner who was sentenced to death after being convicted of blasphemy, has been shot and injured by a policeman inside the Pakistani jail where the 70-year-old was on death row. |
| Muhammad Asghar, who is from Edinburgh and whose family says he has a history of mental illness was shot at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Thursday morning. Reuters reported that the police officer who shot him was a constable. | Muhammad Asghar, who is from Edinburgh and whose family says he has a history of mental illness was shot at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Thursday morning. Reuters reported that the police officer who shot him was a constable. |
| Mr Asghar was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death in January this year after a disgruntled tenant presented letters he had written saying he was a prophet. During his trial, his family tried to present evidence that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. | Mr Asghar was arrested in 2010 and sentenced to death in January this year after a disgruntled tenant presented letters he had written saying he was a prophet. During his trial, his family tried to present evidence that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. |
| The attack on the British citizen is just the latest incident that underscores the lethal grip exerted by Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws. The legislation, introduced under British rule and then tightened during the years of military dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, has become increasingly controversial and ever more deadly. | The attack on the British citizen is just the latest incident that underscores the lethal grip exerted by Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws. The legislation, introduced under British rule and then tightened during the years of military dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, has become increasingly controversial and ever more deadly. |
| Campaigners say that the laws, which carry the death penalty, are routinely used to settle personal scores and grudges that have nothing to do with Islam. | Campaigners say that the laws, which carry the death penalty, are routinely used to settle personal scores and grudges that have nothing to do with Islam. |
| While no-one has ever been executed for blasphemy, many accused have been attacked and killed and lawyers and judges have been threatened. A recent report by a US government advisory panel said there were 14 people on death row in Pakistan and 19 others serving life sentences for insulting Islam. | While no-one has ever been executed for blasphemy, many accused have been attacked and killed and lawyers and judges have been threatened. A recent report by a US government advisory panel said there were 14 people on death row in Pakistan and 19 others serving life sentences for insulting Islam. |
| Last week, a moderate academic from Karachi, Muhammad Shakeel Auj, was shot and killed. The attack followed a campaign two years ago when he was accused of blasphemy over a speech he had made when he visited the US. | Last week, a moderate academic from Karachi, Muhammad Shakeel Auj, was shot and killed. The attack followed a campaign two years ago when he was accused of blasphemy over a speech he had made when he visited the US. |
| Two prominent politicians who suggested reforming the law have been killed, one by his own bodyguard. Another politician who discussed reforming the law on television is now facing blasphemy charges. | Two prominent politicians who suggested reforming the law have been killed, one by his own bodyguard. Another politician who discussed reforming the law on television is now facing blasphemy charges. |