trust.org: By Katharine Houreld
ISLAMABAD, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Pakistan has handed a death sentence for blasphemy to a 68-year-old Briton with a history of mental illness, even though his lawyers were barred from the courtroom partway through the trial, the lawyers said on Friday.
Accusations of blasphemy are surging in Pakistan, according to an Islamabad-based think-tank, the Center for Research and Security Studies. Many analysts see the claims as score-settling or a front for property grabs.
The charges are hard to fight because the law does not define what is blasphemous and presenting the evidence can sometimes itself be considered a fresh infringement.
Blasphemy is punishable by death in Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Sixty-eight-year-old Muhammad Asghar from Edinburgh was sentenced to death on Thursday, the law firm said, citing court officials in the city of Rawalpindi, neighbouring the capital.
The firm said it was not present during the judgment because the judge had prevented it from representing Asghar in court since October.
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What a decision?
Ahmadis are derelict and really abandoned today in a country that they demonstrated and worked for in a leading role in its creation and defended it in all difficult times. Even elderly Ahmadis are being unreasonably punished to settle down the personal conflicts like property rights etc.
International Players are almost silent to get resolved this four decade consistent issue attaining the nastiest discrimination. At times it is felt that these influential players have a bigger agenda to get Ahmadis dealt in this way to suit and save unsubstantiated and irrational fear of Ahmadis.
Whenever “Shareefs of Lahore” are in power, Ahmadis get really a tough time particularly once judicial activism has met the highest levels sine Ex CJ times. The Kangaroo Courts have miserably failed to deliver justice to Ahmadis in all parts of Pakistan. Even the Civil Society is busy in other issues and uneducated people take no notice as they have been made busy to care for the basic bread and butter needs.
1. I am conviced,Sixty-eight-year-old Muhammad Asghar from Edinburgh———will be aquited by the higher court….do not be upset !!!!
then some stupids say why TMT gets somehow or in a way involved itself in maligning Pakistan. It is a mindset even among common people of Pakistan that has been bring about global humiliation and disrespect for Pakistan.