Recently, it was highlighted that certain groups of Muslim lawyers and others who harbor animosity towards Christians are actively targeting and attempting to eliminate Christians in Pakistan by accusing them of committing blasphemy against Islam, its Prophet, and the Quran.

New developments have emerged, revealing that a Muslim man named Siam Riaz from Abbottabad was arrested by the police for spreading blasphemous content on Facebook and Instagram under the false identity of a Christian named Johnson Harry (“Your Next”). For over a year, he posted blasphemous content while posing as a Christian.

A Muslim man, Muhammad Hassan Muawiya, filed a complaint with the Cybercrime Division of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Lahore on 25-10-2023 under complaint number 3793/23, providing the phone number associated with the Facebook account.

FIA Investigation:Arrest of Culprit

The Cybercrime Division of the FIA began an investigation, gathering the Call Detail Records (CDR) of the caller ID used to create the Facebook account. After a year of investigation, it was discovered that the individual linked to the Facebook account and phone number would be attending a wedding in Rawalpindi.

On October 27, 2024, the FIA prepared a team to raid the event, leading to the arrest of Siam Riaz as he entered the wedding hall. Upon confiscating his mobile phone, the police found the Facebook account “Johnson Harry (Your Next)” and the Instagram account “Unlimited Mzhbi” logged in, both of which he used to spread blasphemous messages while posing as a Christian. He was immediately arrested and taken to Lahore for further investigation. An FIR was registered against him (number 175/2024) under sections 11 PECA-2016, 295-A, 295-B, 295-C, 298-A, and 109 PPC. During interrogation, Riaz admitted to posting blasphemous content for over a year.

In October, attention was also drawn to a group called the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan, led by Advocate Rao Abdul Rahim. This organization has been exposed for its questionable activities, particularly in entrapping innocent youths and Christians—often minors—by accusing them of blasphemy for personal and financial gain. This operation was uncovered through a detailed report by the Special Branch of the Punjab Police.

The misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws has become a serious concern, as these laws are frequently exploited to target Christians and their properties. False accusations are often used to intimidate or remove Christians from their communities, forcing them into vulnerable situations. This trend not only affects individuals but also destabilizes entire communities, further marginalizing religious minorities.