Jehlum: A Pakistani man was awarded death sentence Tuesday by a court in Punjab, the eastern province of Pakistan, after being convicted under the country’s blasphemy law.
Muhammad Ashraf was sentenced to death by Additional and Sessions Judge Tariq Mahmood in Jehlum.
Ashraf was convicted for committing blasphemy against the companions of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
A case under the blasphemy law was registered against Ashfar in Pind Dadan police station last year.
Strict security was deployed inside and outside the court during the proceeding of the case.
In February, one Christian man Rafiq was sentenced to death in Bahawalpur, 400 km from Lahore.
The blasphemy law has been at the centre of a heated debate since a court in Punjab sentenced Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, to death last year for allegedly committing blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.
Liberals and civil society activists have called forth repeal or amendment of the blasphemy law, saying it is misused to persecute religious minorities or to settle personal or political scores.
Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer was assassinated by one of his guard for favouring Aasia.
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