Journalists and politicians have condemned a social media campaign targeting journalist Munizae Jahangir after she invited to her TV show the family of a jailed person allegedly tricked into committing blasphemy.

 

As per the details, Jahangir during her show on Monday (Feb 3) reported on a group allegedly involved in the “blasphemy business”. The group is accused of honey-trapping youngsters, making them commit blasphemy and extorting money from them.

 

While Adviser to the Prime Minister on Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik was also present during the show and underscored the need to establish a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe false allegations of blasphemy, the programme did not sit well with a number of hardliners who have since taken to social media, accusing Jahangir of spreading false information.

 

While at least one person has approached the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), demanding strict action against Jahangir and her talk show, a religiopolitical party has also held a protest demo outside the Lahore Press Club against the journalist and her channel.

 

As Jahangir also receives threats of “dire consequences”, journalists, politicians and social media activists have condemned the campaign against her.

 

Journalist Azaz Syed took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, writing, “Strongly condemn the trolling by mafia involved in the so-called 'blasphemy business’ and stand in solidarity with well-respected journalist @MunizaeJahangir.”

 

Senior journalist Matiullah Jan also posted in Jahangir’s favour, in response to which she wrote: “The attack on me is an attempt to detract attention from the court’s order of making a commission on the blasphemy business.”

 

“Strongly condemn the campaign against courageous & bold @MunizaeJahangir whose @Aaj_Urdu show investigated the mindboggling attempt undertaken by multiple individuals reportedly to frame dozens of individuals as blasphemers & then blackmail them. Govt representative in the show reported that the govt will be setting up a committee to inquire into the reality of this reportedly dangerous racketeering. The govt must get bring out the reality of this reported racketeering & also ensure the physical security of @MunizaeJahangir,” wrote journalist Naseem Zehra.

 

Former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and ex-federal minister for information Fawad Chaudhry also commended Jahangir for standing tall despite the campaign against her.  “Like mother like daughter. Brave @MunizaeJahangir. Standing tall against extremists is not easy in Pakistan. Kudoos! (sic),” he said in a post on his official X account.

 

It merits a mention that Pakistan, in recent years, has reported a significant spike in number of cases pertaining to blasphemy under Section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). In some cases, false allegations of blasphemy also led to mob violence against the accused.

 

Reports pertaining to “blasphemy business” first surfaced when Special Branch issued a report in this regard.