Lahore, October 21: A Pakistani court on Wednesday sentenced a Muslim man to death and imposed a fine of USD 3,085 on him for blasphemy in the country's Punjab province. Amin, a resident of Layyah district which is some 400 kms from here, was arrested a few years ago on his neighbour's complaint that he had committed blasphemy. Also Read | ‘Pakistan Army Should Stop Interfering or There Will Be No Unity in the Country’, Says Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (F) Chief Fazlur Rehman.

A district and sessions court of Layyah handed down the death sentence to Amin and also imposed a fine of 500,000 Pakistani Rupee (USD 3,085) on him. Additional Sessions Judge Hasnain Raza sentenced him to death in the light of prosecution witnesses. Also Read | Pakistan Warns of New Lockdown as COVID-19 Mortality Rate Increases by 140%.

Earlier this month, the Lahore High Court acquitted a Christian man sentenced to death for blasphemy in a rare judgement. Sawan Masih, a street sweeper in Lahore, was acquitted after spending more than six years on death row. He was sentenced in 2013 by a trial court for blasphemy.

The news of the alleged blasphemy sparked protests and a mob torched more than 100 Christian homes in Lahore's Joseph colony. This was the second case of blasphemy in which a Christian had been acquitted after Asia Bibi.

Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob violence. Anyone convicted or even just accused of insulting Islam risks a violent and bloody death at the hands of vigilantes. Rights groups have said the blasphemy laws are routinely abused to seek vengeance and settle personal scores.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)