SW News: In Muslim-majority Pakistan, yet another Christian has been charged with blasphemy. According to Attorney Rana Abdul Hameed, Lahore Anti-Terrorism Judge Abher Gul Khan has dismissed his application asking for the removal of terrorism charges against Imran Rehman. The 30-year-old was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency from the metropolis of Lahore on Sep. 14 last year based on complaints that he shared a blasphemous message on WhatsApp.

Speaking to Morning Star News, the attorney said that the government is contemplating draft amendments to permit those charged with blasphemy to be placed under trial under the nation’s anti-terrorism laws. However, Hameed said that such cases do not come under their ambit currently. He added that trying Rehaman under the anti-terrorism law was “illegal and illogical”.

“There’s no legal provision yet for trying blasphemy accused under anti-terror laws,” he said, adding that all the charges leveled against Rehman are false. An employee at the ticket office of the Lahore Metro Bus System, the accused has been charged under Sections 295-A, 295-B, 295-C and 298 of the blasphemy statutes and Section 109/34 and Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, and sections 6(2)(1), 7, 8 and 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

While Rehman has denied indulging in any sort of activity bordering on blasphemy, his attorney said he would file a motion with the Lahore High Court seeking the dismissal of charges. According to Hameed, members of the marginalized communities targeted by the anti-terrorism act based on blasphemy charges undergo acute trauma and are the victims of biased trials.

According to Joseph Jansen, an advocacy officer at the Jubilee Campaign, Rehman is the sole breadwinner of the family and the father of two minor girls. Speaking to Morning Star News, he said, “Rehman’s family is deeply distressed and concerned for his well-being. They allege that Rehman was subjected to severe torture and forced to confess to a crime he did not commit.”