Judges desk with gavel and scales
Article

The Impact of Blasphemy Laws on Minority Communities in Pakistan: The Case of the Ahmadiyya Community

In Pakistan, blasphemy laws have shifted from colonial safeguards against inter-religious conflict to powerful instruments of persecution. Originally presented as protections for religious devotion, they are now widely misused to silence dissent and marginalise minorities. For the Ahmadiyya community, these laws do not merely restrict expression but criminalise existence itself, exposing Ahmadis to violence, exclusion, and systemic discrimination. Their plight illustrates how blasphemy legislation, far from ensuring harmony, undermines the rule of law and violates fundamental human rights.