It’s a subject that receives almost no attention from Western political leaders or media, but according to the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, 35 Christians and Muslims have been killed extra-judicially in connection with allegations of blasphemy since 1992, and false allegations of blasphemy have been used to loot and burn properties belonging to Christians.
The blasphemy laws were introduced in the 1980s by President Zia ul-Haq, a military dictator, in order to win the support of hard-line religious groups. Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code carries the death penalty. The laws have been criticized by religious minorities and human-rights organizations. More here and here.