BBC apologizes for the survey about the punishment for blasphemy

BBC Asia has apologised for the question “What is the right punishment for blasphemy?” on its Asian Network Twitter account, reports the Guardian.

The tweet was intended to promote a debate about blasphemy on social media in Pakistan with presenter Shazia Awan.

In an apology, the network said it never intended to imply that blasphemy should be punished and said the tweet was poorly worded.

The BBC’s tweet prompted anger and disbelief on social media. Human rights campaigner Maryam Namazie said the tweet was “disgraceful”.

Under Pkistan’s blasphemy laws, anyone found to have insulted Islam or the prophet Muhammad can be sentenced to death.

As reported by the UOJ, the case of the Christian woman Asia Bibi received a wide response in Pakistan. In 2009, a local religious figure who had previously persuaded Asia to accept Islam, accused her of violating the "Law on Blasphemy." In 2010, Bibi, a mother of four children, was sentenced to death, she has been imprisoned for seven years.