What are Religious Offences and Punishments

Offences of Religion

What are Religious Offences and Punishments

1- Introduction

Every citizen of Pakistan can live his life according to his belief. There is no any restrictions over it. It is a fundamental right  of Every citizen. Courts have got to be circumspect in such matters and to pay due regard to feeling and religious emotions of different classes of person with different belief irrespectively of the consideration whether or not they share those belief or whether they are rational or otherwise.

2- Relevant Law

Section 295 to 295-C and Section 296 to 298-C

3- Religion Means

To express belief in a divine power

4- Fundamental Right u/s 20 of Constitution

                         》Every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion and
                         》Every religious denomination and every sect Thereof shall have right to establish maintain and manage its religious institution.

5- Offences and Punishment relating Religion

Following are the offences relating to Religion and their Punishment

I- Injuring or Defiling place of Worship

Whoever
                          》Destroy
                          》Damage
                          》Defiles
           => Any place of worship or
           => Any subject held sacred by any class of person
           => With intention of thereby insulting Religion of any class of persons with knowledge
                        Shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to Two year or fine or both

II- Deliberately and Maliciously outrage Religion

Whoever
            With deliberate and malicious intention of outrage the religious feeling of any class of citizen of Pakistan
             => By words either spoken or written
             => By visible representation
Insult or attempt to insult Religion or religion belief of that class
Shall be punished with imprisonment of either description which may Extent to Ten year or fine or both

III- Defiling Copy of Holy Quran

Whoever willfully
                           》Defiles
                           》Damage
                           》Desecrate
                           》A copy of Holy Quran
                           》Of extract therefrom or
                           》Uses it in any derogate
Shall be punished with imprisonment

IV- Derogatory Remarks in respect of Holy Prophet (PBHU)

Whoever,
                    => By words either written or spoken or
                    => By visible representation or
                    => By any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation
        Directly or indirectly
Defiles sacred Name of Holy Prophet (PBUH)
Shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to Death or Life Imprisonment and fine

V- Trespassing on Burial Places

Whoever,
With intention of wounding feelings of any person insulting the religion of any person commit trespass of any place of
                 》Worship
                 》Sepulture
                 》Performance of Funeral rites
                 》Remaing of dead
Shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to One year or fine or both

VI- Uttering Words etc

Whoever With intention to wound feeling of any person, utter words or make gesture Shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may exceed One year or fine or both

VII- Use of Derogatory Remarks in respect of Holy Personage

The person who derogate any Remarks in respect of Holy Personage shall be punished for term may extend to Three years or fine or both

Conclusion