RazorPay, PayPal, and other low-value transactions might be subject to 18% GST, according to the GST Council. This is what it will do to you.

 In the upcoming GST Council meeting scheduled for September 9th, a significant change may be introduced that could impact how small-value transactions are handled in India. The council is expected to deliberate on whether to impose an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on payment aggregators (PAs), such as Razorpay, Stripe, PayU, Pine Labs, and others. These aggregators facilitate online payments made via debit and credit cards, and the proposed tax would apply specifically to transactions valued at Rs 2,000 or less. Until now, payment aggregators have enjoyed an exemption from GST on these small transactions. This article breaks down what the potential change means and how it could affect consumers and businesses alike.

RazorPay, PayPal, and other low-value transactions might be subject to 18% GST, according to the GST Council. This is what it will do to you.

The Proposed Change

The fitment committee, which consists of revenue officials from both central and state governments, is currently reviewing the possibility of implementing an 18% GST on PAs. The rationale behind this proposal is that payment aggregators are seen as intermediaries facilitating card-based transactions rather than being equivalent to banks. As a result, officials believe they should be brought under the GST regime. 

If the proposal is approved during the 54th GST Council meeting, consumers can expect their transactions made through credit or debit cards to become more expensive when processed by PAs. Currently, payment aggregators are exempt from paying GST on any transaction below Rs 2,000, but this exemption would no longer apply under the new rules.

What are Payment Aggregators (PAs)?

Payment aggregators act as third-party service providers that enable businesses to collect payments from customers through various methods, including UPI, credit, and debit cards. They serve as intermediaries, ensuring that transactions are completed securely and efficiently. Customers benefit from the flexibility to choose different payment options, while businesses gain the ability to track and manage transactions, refunds, and fund collections. In exchange for these services, PAs charge businesses a payment gateway fee, which typically ranges from 0.5% to 2% of each transaction.

Historical Context: The Push for Digital Payments

Following India's demonetization in 2016, when Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes were withdrawn from circulation, the government temporarily removed taxes on transactions of up to Rs 2,000 made via credit and debit cards. This move was part of a broader effort to promote digital payments. However, if the GST is applied to payment aggregators, they are likely to pass these additional costs onto businesses.

Will UPI be Affected?

Unified Payments Interface (UPI), another popular digital payment system in India, will remain unaffected by the proposed GST changes. Currently, UPI transactions do not incur a merchant discount rate (MDR) charge, which is the fee businesses pay for card-based payments. This means UPI transactions below Rs 2,000 will continue to be an attractive option for merchants, as they will not be subject to the new GST rules.

Impact on Small Businesses

Small businesses that rely on numerous low-value transactions are likely to feel the brunt of this change. For example, imagine a merchant processes a Rs 1,500 payment through Razorpay using a credit card. If the payment aggregator charges a 1% fee, the business would typically pay Rs 15. With the introduction of an 18% GST, the total fee would increase by Rs 2.7, bringing the total cost to Rs 17.7. While this difference may seem small, when multiplied across hundreds or thousands of transactions, it could add up to a substantial financial burden for small businesses.

In conclusion, the imposition of GST on payment aggregators could make card-based transactions more expensive for both businesses and consumers, particularly for small businesses dealing with frequent low-value payments. However, UPI transactions remain exempt, which may incentivize businesses to adopt this mode of payment for smaller transactions to avoid the additional costs.

"We have never refused to," Putin said in reference to possible "mediators" India and peace negotiations with Ukraine.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, expressed his openness to engage in peace negotiations with Ukraine, emphasizing that any talks should be based on the agreements made during the early stages of the conflict in Turkey. Putin referred to these agreements, which were reached during the Istanbul talks, as a potential foundation for future peace discussions. 

"We have never refused to," Putin said in reference to possible "mediators" India and peace negotiations with Ukraine.

He reiterated that Russia has never been unwilling to negotiate, but emphasized that the discussions should not be centered around vague or unrealistic demands. Instead, they should be built upon the concrete terms that were previously agreed upon in Istanbul. 

In his remarks, Putin also highlighted the possibility of India, China, and Brazil serving as mediators in the peace process. He specifically mentioned India's role as a potential mediator, referencing recent statements made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visits to Russia and Ukraine. Modi had reaffirmed India's strong commitment to facilitating a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict.

Putin further elaborated on the military situation, claiming that Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russia's Kursk region was an attempt to impede Russian advances in Donbas. According to Putin, the incursion was ultimately unsuccessful and led to a weakening of Ukrainian forces on other fronts. This, he argued, has allowed Russia to intensify its operations in eastern Ukraine.

"Shivraj Chouhan asks Mamata Banerjee if Shahjahan will be hanged following the passage of the anti-rape bill."

 On Tuesday, in Kolkata, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the passage of the anti-rape bill in the West Bengal Assembly. Chouhan referred to the bill as a 'diversionary tactic' and questioned whether Sheikh Shahjahan, the accused in the Sandeshkhali sexual abuse case, would be sentenced to death under the new law.

"Shivraj Chouhan asks Mamata Banerjee if Shahjahan will be hanged following the passage of the anti-rape bill."

Chouhan accused Banerjee of enacting the law under pressure and claimed that it was an attempt to divert attention from the RG Kar hospital rape and murder incident. He questioned the timing of the bill, asking why Banerjee had not introduced it earlier if she truly cared about women's safety.

He further challenged Banerjee to clarify whether individuals like Shahjahan Sheikh would face the death penalty under this law, asserting that the legislation was merely a distraction and would not effectively address the issue of sexual violence.

Earlier that day, the West Bengal Assembly had unanimously passed the anti-rape bill, which seeks to impose the death penalty on rape convicts if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state. The bill also proposes a life sentence without parole for other perpetrators and aims to expedite investigations, with probes to be completed within 21 days instead of the previous two-month deadline. 

The bill, titled 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' introduces several significant changes to the state's legal framework, including the formation of a special task force led by women officers. However, the bill still requires approval from the Bengal Governor and the President before it can be enacted into law.

During the special session of the assembly, where the bill was discussed, Banerjee described the legislation as "historic" and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the chief ministers of states that have failed to implement effective laws to protect women. Banerjee argued that the bill was necessary because the central government had shown little enthusiasm for amending existing laws to ensure stricter punishment for rapists and quicker justice for victims.

Opposition BJP MLAs supported the bill, but their leader, Suvendu Adhikari, accused Banerjee of using the bill to divert attention from public anger over the RG Kar hospital incident. Despite the support, Adhikari criticized the government for rejecting most of the amendments he had proposed, which included penalizing police officers who fail to act on complaints or provide security to witnesses.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, in a social media post, emphasized the urgent need for such laws, citing the alarming frequency of rapes in the country. He called on the central government to take decisive action, either through an ordinance or by amending the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), to ensure swift and severe justice for rape victims.

The bill also amends various sections of the BNS, 2023, including those related to punishment for rape, gang rape, and acid attacks, by incorporating the death penalty for perpetrators and imprisonment for those who disclose the identity of victims. Additionally, it proposes the omission of certain sections related to punishments for rape perpetrators based on age, seeking to universalize punishment regardless of the perpetrator's age or status.

ITBP Constable recruitment 2024: 819 vacancies on offer

 The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) is starting its registration process today for the recruitment of constables. Interested and eligible candidates can apply through the official website, which is recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in, once the registration portal becomes active. This recruitment initiative aims to fill a total of 819 constable vacancies across different categories. Candidates should note that the application window will be open until October 1, 2024.

ITBP Constable recruitment 2024: 819 vacancies on offer

Steps to Apply for ITBP Constable Recruitment 2024

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in.

2. Access the Recruitment Link: On the homepage, find and click on the link that says "ITBP Constable Recruitment 2024."

3. Register: Once the new page opens, enter your registration details.

4. Log In: After registration, log in to your account using the provided credentials.

5. Fill Out the Application Form: Complete the application form with all the necessary information.

6. Pay the Application Fee: Submit the required application fee as directed.

7. Submit and Save: Submit the completed form and download the confirmation page.

8. Print for Future Reference: Print the confirmation page and keep it for future use.

Pay Scale for Selected Candidates

Candidates who are selected for the constable positions will receive a salary according to Level-3 in the Pay Matrix. This pay scale ranges from Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100, in accordance with the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).

Reservation Details

The 819 available positions are divided among different categories as follows:

- Unreserved Category: 458 positions

- Scheduled Caste (SC): 48 positions

- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 70 positions

- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 162 positions

- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 81 positions

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the ITBP Constable Recruitment 2024, candidates must meet the following criteria:

- Education: Must have passed the 10th grade from a recognized board.

- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 18 and 25 years old.

Selection Process

The selection process for the ITBP Constable posts will include multiple stages:

1. Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

2. Physical Standard Test (PST)

3. Written Examination

4. Verification of Original Documents

5. Detailed Medical Examination (DME) or Review Medical Examination (RME)

The medical examination will assess candidates’ fitness based on the Uniform Guidelines for Recruitment Medical Examination for Gazetted Officers (GOs) and Non-Gazetted Officers (NGOs) in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (ARs).

Yograj Singh spews hate speech at the former captain of India, saying, "MS Dhoni should look in the mirror." He also says he won't forgive him.

 Yuvraj Singh's father, Yograj Singh, who is also a former cricketer, has once again criticized Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the captain of India's 2011 World Cup-winning team. Yograj has frequently spoken out against Dhoni on various public platforms, accusing him of ruining Yuvraj's cricketing career. Despite his father's claims, Yuvraj Singh himself has never made such accusations against Dhoni and has always spoken highly of his former captain and teammate. Under Dhoni's leadership, Yuvraj was a key player in India's victories at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. Yuvraj's performances were exceptional during this period, showcasing his best cricketing abilities while playing under Dhoni's captaincy.

Yograj Singh spews hate speech at the former captain of India, saying, "MS Dhoni should look in the mirror." He also says he won't forgive him.

In a recent interview on the Zee Switch YouTube channel, Yograj Singh reiterated his belief that Dhoni was responsible for the premature end of Yuvraj's career and expressed that he could never forgive him for this. He stated, "I won't forgive MS Dhoni. He should look at his face in the mirror. He is a very big cricketer, but what he has done to my son, everything is coming out now; it can never be forgiven in life. I have never forgiven anyone who has wronged me, nor have I ever embraced them, whether they are family members or my own children."

Yograj further argued that Yuvraj could have easily continued playing at the international level for another four to five years if not for Dhoni's influence. He blamed Dhoni for Yuvraj's early retirement from cricket. "That man (MS Dhoni) has destroyed the life of my son, who could have played four to five years more. I challenge anyone to produce a son like Yuvraj. Even Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag have said there will never be another Yuvraj Singh. India should award him the Bharat Ratna for playing with cancer and winning the World Cup for the country," Yograj added.

Yuvraj Singh had a distinguished career, representing India in 402 international matches from 2000 to 2017, amassing 11,178 runs, including 17 centuries and 71 half-centuries across all formats. He is considered one of India's greatest cricketers and was part of the Indian squads that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002 (joint-winners with Sri Lanka), the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. His last appearance for India was in June 2017 against the West Indies, and he officially retired from all forms of international cricket in June 2019.

Trinamool condemns three TV networks for "propaganda driven by an anti-Bengal agenda."

 The Trinamool Congress has announced its decision to boycott three news channels, accusing them of spreading "anti-Bengal, agenda-driven propaganda." This decision comes amid widespread outrage over the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a state-run institution in Kolkata.

Trinamool condemns three TV networks for "propaganda driven by an anti-Bengal agenda."

In a statement, Mamata Banerjee's party declared that it would no longer send its spokespersons to these channels for panel discussions. The party accused the news channels of being compelled to "appease the Zamindars of Delhi," citing the ongoing investigations and enforcement cases against the promoters and companies associated with these channels.

Furthermore, the Trinamool Congress urged the public to be cautious and not to be misled by individuals appearing on these channels who claim to be supporters or sympathizers of the party. The statement emphasized that these individuals are not authorized by the party and do not represent its official position. The statement also highlighted that "the people of Bengal have consistently rejected this unholy Bangla Birodhi Nexus and have always chosen truth over propaganda."

The incident at RG Kar Medical College, where a second-year postgraduate medical student was raped and murdered on August 9, has put the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government under severe criticism for its handling of the case and the subsequent protests by doctors.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been actively protesting against the state government, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP has accused her of failing to ensure the safety and security of women in West Bengal, claiming the state has become the most unsafe in the country for women.

In response, the Trinamool Congress has dismissed the BJP's allegations, accusing them of using the public's outrage over the tragic incident to destabilize the democratically elected government led by Mamata Banerjee.

Virat Kohli and Joe Root stats are used by Michael Vaughan to mock India once more, but fans respond in kind.

 Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has once again caused a stir on social media by attempting to provoke Indian cricket fans. This time, Vaughan used a comparison between the Test records of Virat Kohli, the renowned Indian batsman, and Joe Root, the accomplished English cricketer. Vaughan's tweet was posted following Root's outstanding performance in the ongoing second Test match against Sri Lanka, where Root scored his 33rd Test century.

Virat Kohli and Joe Root stats are used by Michael Vaughan to mock India once more, but fans respond in kind.

Michael Vaughan is known for his provocative remarks on social media, and he did not miss the chance to take a jab at Virat Kohli, one of India's most prominent cricket stars. By sharing a statistical comparison of the Test records between Root and Kohli, Vaughan underscored Root's greater number of Test centuries. This was seen by many as a subtle suggestion that Root has outperformed Kohli in the longer format of the game.

The tweet quickly gained traction, going viral and prompting a wave of reactions from cricket enthusiasts around the world. Indian cricket fans, however, were quick to respond. They defended Kohli by emphasizing that his contributions to the game extend far beyond the sheer number of centuries. Many highlighted Kohli's consistent performances across all formats of the game and his pivotal role in elevating India's status as a cricketing powerhouse.

Regarding the second Test match itself, England managed to post a total of 427 runs, thanks in large part to the centuries scored by Joe Root and Gus Atkinson. England's innings lasted for one and a half days before Sri Lanka managed to bowl them out. Asitha Fernando was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking a five-wicket haul, while Milan Rathnayake and Lahiru Kumara each claimed two wickets.

After suffering a defeat by five wickets in the first Test in Manchester the previous week, Sri Lanka made two changes to their squad for the second match. They included batter Pathum Nissanka and pace bowler Lahiru Kumara, replacing Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando. 

England made a single change to their lineup, with Olly Stone coming in for fellow fast bowler Mark Wood, who was sidelined due to a thigh injury. Ollie Pope, stepping in as captain for the injured Ben Stokes, mentioned that he would have opted to bat first if he had won the toss. Notably, Sri Lanka also won the toss in the first Test in Manchester.

The line-ups for the second Test match were as follows:

England: Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.

Big bets on AI and green energy from Reliance Industries, but no indication on when Jio and the retail company will go public

Big bets on AI and green energy from Reliance Industries, but no indication on when Jio and the retail company will go public

 Mukesh Ambani emphasized that the Reliance Group is on track to more than double its size by the end of this decade. He identified key sectors such as Oil-to-Chemicals (O2C), Retail, Jio (its digital services arm), Media, and Green Energy and Fuels as the primary drivers of future growth.

The 47th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), held since its Initial Public Offering (IPO), was perhaps the most anticipated event of the week. The market was eagerly awaiting announcements regarding the IPO timelines for Reliance Jio and the retail business. However, during his hour-long speech, RIL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Mukesh Ambani, did not address these IPO timelines. Instead, he focused on the growth trajectory, stating that he expects both Jio and Retail to double their revenues over the next three to four years.

Regarding the revenue outlook, Ambani stated, "Jio is poised to be a cornerstone of India‘s digital future." He projected that both Jio and the Retail business would double their revenues and EBITDA within the next three to four years. He also highlighted the significant growth potential in the media sector.

The high expectations surrounding the IPO timelines for Reliance Retail and Jio stemmed from a declaration made at the 2019 AGM, which stated that these businesses would be listed within five years. 

Despite the absence of an IPO update, Mukesh Ambani outlined the company's growth strategy, emphasizing the "five growth engines"—O2C, Retail, Jio, Media, and Green Energy and Fuels. He noted that Reliance is uniquely positioned to expand into new businesses adjacent to these core sectors. He highlighted that three of these growth engines already have a valuation of over $100 billion each and are expected to grow even faster in the future.

On rewarding investors, Ambani emphasized the company's commitment to wealth creation, mentioning that the Board is considering issuing bonus shares in a 1:1 ratio on September 5. He assured investors that Reliance would continue to operate within a prudent financial framework, allocating resources to high-return projects while maintaining a strong balance sheet.

A significant part of Ambani's address focused on Deep Tech and Artificial Intelligence (AI). He shared his vision for the future, which includes transforming Reliance from a technology implementer to a creator of cutting-edge technologies. The company plans to build large-scale AI infrastructure, including Gigawatt-scale AI-ready Data Centers in Jamnagar powered by green energy, to offer AI for all. These initiatives aim to have a transformative impact on sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and small businesses.

Ambani also highlighted the strong performance of Reliance’s Upstream and Oil-to-Chemicals (O2C) businesses. Key factors contributing to this success include a focus on operational excellence, diversification in processing 60 grades of crude oil (including 13 new grades), chartering more vessels on a long-term basis amidst geopolitical tensions, strong domestic demand for fuels and downstream chemicals, and leveraging deep-tech and advanced manufacturing capabilities. The company is pioneering the use of AI-powered real-time optimization across its supply chain and advanced crude oil and feedstock characterization to drive increased profitability.

Ambani also reiterated Reliance’s emergence as a deep-tech and new energy entity. He stated that affordable and sustainable round-the-clock clean energy is critical for India’s accelerating growth. The company has committed Rs 75,000 crore to establish a new energy ecosystem. He revealed that construction has begun on an advanced chemistry-based battery manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 30 GWh in Jamnagar, with production expected to start in the second half of next year. This facility will initially assemble Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for various markets and progressively integrate backward to cell manufacturing and eventually to battery chemical production. According to Ambani, this deep integration will help control quality and costs, ultimately resetting energy costs.

Will next week see Putin's arrest? Examined is the Russian President's visit to Mongolia

 Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit Mongolia next week, a country that is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, holding him accountable for alleged war crimes. 

Will next week see Putin's arrest? Examined is the Russian President's visit to Mongolia

According to the Kremlin, as reported by AFP, Putin will travel to Mongolia on September 3, 2024, at the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh. The visit is to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 85th anniversary of the joint Soviet and Mongolian forces' victory over Japanese militarists at the Khalkhin Gol River.

Last year, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, accusing him of responsibility for war crimes, including the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan has stated that if Putin visits any of the ICC's more than 120 member states, he could be subject to arrest.

However, Russia is not a signatory to the ICC, raising questions about the enforceability of such a warrant. India, another country not a member of the ICC, is expected to host Putin later this year for the G20 summit in New Delhi.

The specific charges against Putin involve his alleged role, along with Maria Lvova-Belova, in the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied regions of Ukraine to Russia. Reports from the United Nations Commission of Inquiry, cited by the BBC, indicate that some of these children were forced to acquire Russian citizenship and placed in foster families in Russia, effectively making their return difficult. The transfers, initially described as temporary, have been complicated by numerous obstacles that prevent children and their parents from reuniting. UN investigators have identified 16,221 children forcibly taken to Russia.

The ICC has indicated that there are reasonable grounds to believe Putin bears "individual responsibility for these crimes," whether he committed them directly, jointly with others, or through intermediaries. Furthermore, the court suggests that Putin did not adequately control his civilian and military subordinates who were directly involved in these acts or allowed them to occur.

Under the arrest warrant, ICC member states are obligated to detain Putin or Lvova-Belova if they enter their territory. However, the ICC lacks its own police force or any direct means to enforce these arrests, which complicates the situation further.

Poem on rapes shared by Pakistani blogger. Arrested for insulting Allah

 In New Delhi, a Pakistani blogger was recently charged with blasphemy and jailed for sharing a poem expressing solidarity. Asma Batool, a blogger from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, shared a poem by Salman Haider on social media. The poem highlighted the harassment faced by women in South Asian countries in the wake of the Kolkata rape case. The poem Batool shared on Facebook included a powerful line: "Khuda, Bhagwan or Ishwar, sab maujood they, jab rape hua" (All the gods were present when I was being violated). She also posted another poem on Instagram with the caption, “Your country is the same as mine.”

Poem on rapes shared by Pakistani blogger. Arrested for insulting Allah

Following this, Batool was arrested on blasphemy charges after religious clerics filed a First Information Report (FIR) against her, accusing her of insulting Allah. The FIR was filed on August 25 by Maulana Tahir Bashir, the president of Ahlus Sunnat Wal Jamaat District in Poonch. Batool’s family, in response, filed a complaint with the local police, stating that a mob had attacked their home, threatened to kill them, and attempted to set their house on fire, accusing them of abandoning their faith. Videos circulating on social media also show a mob, led by local clerics, demanding Batool’s family disown her or face social ostracism.

This incident has sparked outrage among activists nationwide, who are now calling for her immediate release and the removal of what they claim are fabricated charges. 

Journalist Sabahat Zakariya commented on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Asma Batool…has been arrested for blasphemy charges for sharing a poem on her social media. Aap maane ya na maaney, this is Pakistan” (whether you agree or not, this is Pakistan). Zakariya further argued that the current situation in Pakistan is a result of stoking communal sentiments for secessionism rather than promoting dialogue within a diverse society.

Batool has been a vocal critic of the oppression of minorities in Pakistan on social media, and her YouTube channel features videos of her celebrating Holi and discussing the people of Kashmir.

Social media users are both shocked and curious about the situation. One user on X expressed frustration, writing, “Can’t wait for them to discover Iqbal (Allama Iqbal) and how ‘blasphemous’ he gets. This is disgusting, and I seriously can’t begin to see how we can ever reverse it.” 

Human rights activist Gulalai Ismail also condemned Batool’s arrest, stating, “Blasphemy law is the new sedition law; a tool used by the civil-military establishment to punish dissent.”

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which prohibit derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, have been a source of significant controversy. These laws can lead to severe penalties, including the death penalty. Since 1947, at least 89 people have been extrajudicially killed over blasphemy accusations, including high-profile figures such as Governor Salman Taseer and Minister Shahbaz Bhatti.

As of early 2021, approximately 80 individuals were imprisoned on blasphemy charges in Pakistan, many of whom face life sentences or even the death penalty.

Human Rights Watch highlighted the growing use of blasphemy laws to target individuals for comments made on social media, describing this trend as a "dangerous escalation." In its 2024 report on blasphemy cases in Pakistan, the organization expressed concern over the increasing suppression of free speech and the targeting of religious minorities.

In January 2023, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, which increased the penalty for disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad’s family from three years to ten years in prison, along with a fine of 1 million Pakistani rupees. This legislative change has raised fears of worsening human rights abuses and the further persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan.