#ArrestMarviSirmed trends on Twitter after journalist’s controversial joke

A latest trend on Twitter is calling for the arrest of Pakistani journalist and human rights defender, Marvi Sirmed. Sirmed made a sarcastic comment about the state’s practice of enforced disappearances in Balochistan and compared it to the ascension of Hazrat Isa. Many Pakistanis found the joke blasphemous in nature and are now calling for her arrest for violating Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Marvi shared the English Translation of her Tweet which she shared in Urdu. She wrote: “The tweet which is generating a lot of abuse, blasphemy allegations, and threats. For those who don’t read Urdu: Mullah told Jesus Christ didn’t die, he was picked up by God. A simpleton asked: Was Jesus a Baloch?”

Sirmed has been involved in multiple controversies in the past, the most famous one with writer Khalil-ur-Rehman.