A new report by international and Pakistani human rights organizations has raised serious concerns about corruption within Pakistan’s criminal justice system, arguing that the problem disproportionately affects poor religious minorities, particularly Christians accused under the country’s blasphemy laws.
The study concludes that financial hardship, discrimination, and weaknesses in the legal system combine to make it especially difficult for vulnerable communities to receive fair treatment during criminal proceedings.
Rights Groups Document Systemic Challenges
The report, titled “Under the Bench: Mapping Corruption Risks in Pakistan’s Justice System,” was jointly released on July 8 by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
Researchers based their findings on interviews conducted in February and March with 30 individuals, including judges, lawyers, journalists, academics, and civil society representatives, to examine how corruption influences the administration of justice.
According to the report, discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities often intersects with poverty, creating additional barriers for those seeking legal protection.
Poor Christian Communities Face Greater Obstacles
The study highlights that many Christians accused of blasphemy come from low-income occupations such as sanitation work and daily wage labor, leaving them with limited financial resources to secure experienced legal representation or meet the unofficial costs that can arise during criminal proceedings.
Researchers argue that this economic disadvantage widens existing inequalities within the justice system and reduces access to fair legal outcomes.
The report also notes that some interviewees identified language used in certain judicial rulings as reflecting bias against minority groups and economically disadvantaged defendants.
Blasphemy Cases Continue to Rise
The findings reinforce concerns previously highlighted by Human Rights Watch, which reported in 2025 that blasphemy allegations were increasingly being exploited for personal or financial motives.
According to figures cited from Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights, the number of people detained on blasphemy charges has risen sharply in recent years.
As of July 25, 2024, authorities had detained 767 individuals, compared with 213 in 2023, 64 in 2022, nine in 2021, and 11 in 2020.
The report suggests that the growing number of prosecutions has intensified pressure on an already strained judicial system.
Legal Adviser Describes Financial Burden on Families
Behram Francis, legal adviser to the Catholic bishops’ National Commission for Justice and Peace, said the report accurately reflects the experiences of many Christian families facing blasphemy accusations.
He explained that once allegations become public, families often encounter demands for unofficial payments during police investigations due to the sensitivity and security risks surrounding such cases.
Francis also said prolonged trials frequently leave defendants imprisoned for years while repeated adjournments delay proceedings, adding that Christian defendants often encounter prejudice during lower court hearings.
Lawyers Cite Delays and Courtroom Intimidation
Riaz Anjum, president of the Christian Lawyers Association of Pakistan, said procedural hurdles continue to complicate the defense of individuals accused under blasphemy laws.
According to Anjum, such cases are not always included in standard court schedules, requiring additional legal applications simply to obtain hearing dates.
He also alleged that defense lawyers sometimes face intimidation inside courtrooms, while groups of religious students gather outside during proceedings, creating an atmosphere that raises concerns about external influence on judicial decisions.
Rule of Law Concerns Persist
The report places Pakistan’s judicial challenges within a broader governance context.
According to the 2025 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Pakistan ranked 123rd out of 143 countries for the absence of corruption, placing it among the lowest-performing countries in its region.
Human rights advocates argue that addressing corruption, ensuring judicial independence, and improving equal access to justice will be essential to strengthening public confidence in Pakistan’s legal system, particularly for marginalized religious minorities.
