Muslim sentenced to death for blasphemy

A Pakistani Muslim has been sentenced to death for blasphemy against Muhammad, Islam’s prophet.

Niaz Ahmed, 50, was arrested in a village near Bahawalnagar after locals complained about comments he made at a tea stall.

Ahmed denied insulting Muhammad, but 10 villagers testified against him.

International and domestic human right groups have often criticised Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, saying they can easily be abused and are sometimes used to settle land disputes and tribal quarrels.

Christian rights groups also have demanded that the laws be scrapped, saying they have been used to persecute Christians, a minority in Pakistan.

Hundreds of people are believed to be in jail in Pakistan under the blasphemy laws, most of them Christians or members of other religious minorities.