Summary:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the federal government to establish an independent commission within 30 days to probe allegations of entrapment-based blasphemy cases—particularly those involving young individuals inducted into WhatsApp groups and falsely accused. The commission must complete its investigations within four months, although it may request a court extension if necessary.
Key Facts:
- Entrapment Spike: Since 2022, dozens of primarily young men have been detained for alleged blasphemy in WhatsApp groups. Many families report they were tricked and entrapped, sometimes by private lawyers or volunteers monitoring online platforms.
- Number of Cases: A government-run National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) report from October 2024 noted approximately 767 individuals—mostly young men—imprisoned awaiting trial on blasphemy charges.
- Judicial Directive: The IHC ordered the government to form the commission within a month and mandated it complete its investigation within four months, allowing legally authorized extensions.
- Data Gathering Powers: The court authorized the commission to compel access to evidence, including WhatsApp metadata and call detail records—although telecom companies have questioned the scope of data availability.
- Notable Cases: The bench highlighted concerns over individuals like “Iman” (Komal Ismail), suspected of orchestrating entrapments, who has since vanished. Authorities placed her name on the ECL and several SIMs registered to her have been found inactive.
Conclusion:
The Islamabad High Court’s directive for an independent probe into the blasphemy law marks a bold judicial step toward legal accountability and protection of fundamental rights. For the legal community, it opens a vital space to advocate for evidence-based policy change, transparency, and justice for the vulnerable.
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