Critics say the laws, first formalised in 1860 during British rule, are being exploited to target religious minorities.

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are facing scrutiny after the recent arrest of a young Christian girl accused of burning pages from the Quran.



The laws, which were first formalised in 1860 during the British rule, carry a death sentence for anyone convicted of insulting Islam.

Critics say they are being exploited to target religious minorities.

Al Jazeera’s Imtiaz Tyab looks at the harsh effects of the law in this report from Islamabad.