Blasphemy Laws: Chinese citizen arrested on charges of blasphemy in Pakistan, people block road in protest

The matter is currently being investigated. People were removed from the highway after being persuaded, after which the traffic became normal.

A Chinese citizen has been arrested in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy. He has been accused of insulting Islam and Prophet Mohammad. Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law provides for the death penalty. The accused has been identified as Tian. Police said workers working on a dam and people living nearby had blocked a nearby highway demanding Tian's arrest.

Blasphemy charges to intimidate minorities

A rally was also taken out on behalf of the people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The police officer said that on the information of the rally, the police immediately swung into action and Tian was arrested on Sunday night.

The matter is currently being investigated. People were removed from the highway after being persuaded, after which the traffic became normal. After this the work on Dasu Dam could start again. 

It is worth mentioning that many times people accused of blasphemy have been attacked and murdered in Pakistan.

Human rights organizations say that in most cases, the accusation of blasphemy is made to intimidate minorities and serve personal interests.

Earlier, the local mob tried to enter the Chinese camp near the project site. There was no comment from the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad.

In January, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to take stronger security measures to protect Chinese citizens.

Thirteen people, including nine Chinese nationals, were killed in a suicide bus explosion in July 2021 at the site of the project. Hundreds of Chinese and hundreds of Pakistanis are working here.