by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (Worthy News) – A senior Pakistani judge revealed Wednesday that he feared being shot inside his courtroom while hearing blasphemy-related cases, prompting a Christian human rights advocate to warn that threats and intimidation are undermining justice in the predominantly Muslim nation.
Islamabad High Court Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan made the extraordinary disclosure during a hearing involving appeals by people convicted under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.
The judge said he feared someone could enter the courtroom, shoot him and walk away. He acknowledged that security concerns were discouraging judges from hearing sensitive appeals and questioned the state’s failure to protect judicial officials and witnesses.
His remarks prompted an urgent appeal from Christian human rights lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder and international advocacy director of the rights group LEAD Ministries, who warned that even judges were struggling to perform their duties without fear of violence.
Gill told Worthy News that the judge’s observations raised serious questions about judicial independence, the rule of law and the state’s ability to protect ordinary citizens facing blasphemy accusations.
JUDGES UNDER PRESSURE
Justice Khan spoke during proceedings before a two-member Islamabad High Court bench that also included Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro.
Despite his security fears, the court suspended the remaining sentence of a blasphemy convict who had five months and 25 days left to serve and ordered his release on bail against surety bonds of 100,000 Pakistani rupees (about $362). The main appeals were scheduled for hearing two weeks later.
Khan criticized the state for failing to provide adequate protection to judges and witnesses, questioning why appeals in such cases had remained pending for years. He also expressed concern that speaking openly could result in another disciplinary reference being filed against him.
Gill warned that intimidation extended beyond those accused of blasphemy to lawyers, witnesses, journalists, human rights defenders and their families.
“If a judge fears being shot inside a courtroom for hearing a blasphemy-related case, what protection can an ordinary accused person, a witness, a lawyer, or a human rights defender realistically expect?” Gill asked.
BLASPHEMY VIOLENCE
Pakistan’s blasphemy legislation criminalizes offenses deemed insulting to religion, including provisions carrying the death penalty for insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
Critics say the laws have contributed to a climate of hatred and intimidation. According to Pakistan’s Centre for Social Justice, at least 104 people were killed in mob violence and other extrajudicial attacks following blasphemy accusations between 1994 and 2024, including 26 Christians. Ten people were killed in 2024 alone.
A British government report published in July 2026, citing U.S. religious freedom monitors, identified at least 18 Christians imprisoned or detained on blasphemy charges, including nine serving death or life sentences. Pakistan has not carried out any state-sanctioned executions for blasphemy.
Human rights organizations have warned that blasphemy allegations are sometimes used to settle personal disputes, intimidate religious minorities or seize property, while accused individuals can spend years in prison awaiting justice.
Christians, who account for a small minority of Pakistan’s population, have faced mob attacks, prosecutions and threats following accusations that are sometimes unsupported by credible evidence, Worthy News observed.
PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION
Justice Khan has previously challenged the handling of blasphemy cases. In July 2025, he ordered the government to establish an inquiry commission to investigate allegations of entrapment, deaths in custody, flawed investigations and violations of fundamental rights.
However, another Islamabad High Court bench suspended the order, saying such an investigation could interfere with cases pending before other courts.
Gill said the latest judicial disclosures underscored the need for stronger safeguards and independent legal proceedings.
“No judge should have to fear assassination for performing judicial duties. No witness should have to risk their life for telling the truth. No lawyer should face intimidation for representing an accused person,” he stressed.
CALL FOR PROTECTION
Gill urged Pakistan’s government, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies to strengthen security for judges handling blasphemy cases and establish effective protection mechanisms for witnesses, lawyers, accused individuals and their families.
He also called for investigations into threats against judicial officials and warned that prolonged delays in appeals could have devastating consequences for defendants awaiting justice.
The Christian advocate appealed to United Nations human rights mechanisms, diplomatic missions and international organizations to monitor the situation and press for stronger safeguards.
“The state must not allow threats, intimidation, or fear of violence to determine which cases can be heard and which individuals can obtain justice,” Gill stressed.
“A courtroom should be a place where the law speaks without fear, not a place where judges fear for their lives,” he argued.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
