Investigation links brother of Pakistani cleric to alleged blasphemy extortion network

A recent investigation by The Telegraph has alleged that Hassan Muawiya Ashrafi, brother of Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, is connected to a network accused of exploiting Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The report claims this network utilized social media traps to lure individuals, including Christians, into situations where they could be accused of blasphemy, subsequently leading to abductions, torture, and extortion. Police records reviewed by the newspaper indicate that Hassan Muawiya Ashrafi has filed blasphemy complaints against 26 people since 2022.

Hassan Muawiya Ashrafi has denied these allegations, and the Pakistan Ulema Council has dismissed the report as false, announcing plans to pursue legal action against the publication. Tahir Ashrafi has previously defended his brother, publicly challenging critics to provide evidence of financial misconduct regarding these cases. The report has prompted scrutiny regarding Tahir Ashrafi’s role as an advocate for religious harmony, particularly following the recent withdrawal of a Lambeth Palace award by the Archbishop of Canterbury after concerns about his past statements emerged.