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.

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