Pakistan toughens punishment for disrespecting family, companions of Islam's prophet

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistan's upper house has passed legislation toughening the punishment for disrespecting wives, family members, and companions of Prophet Muhammad, the last of Islam's prophets.

Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, one of the movers of the bill, told Anadolu on Tuesday that the latest legislation is purely a punishment for those who disrespect wives, family members, and companions of Prophet Muhammad, while the death penalty for his blasphemy remains unchanged under the Penal Code of Pakistan.

The Senate passed the "Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023" on Monday.

The bill was already approved in January by the lower house, known as the National Assembly, and proposed increasing the punishment for disrespecting the wives, family members, and companions of Prophet Muhammad to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison, as well as a fine of one million rupees (approximately $3,500), according to the senator.

Previously, the maximum sentence for the act was three years in prison.​​​​​​​