Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt has been booked under Peca Laws after releasing his perfume called “295,” referencing Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The action invited wrath, resulting in an FIR lodged against him under Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). Religious and political factions, especially Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), had charged Butt for hurting religious feelings, which prompted prompt legal action.
The Backlash and Legal Charges
Rajab Butt, who has a massive online fan base and has previously been involved in controversies such as keeping custody of a lion cub, was severely criticised when he revealed the perfume in an since-deleted video. In it, he mentioned a past blasphemy case registered against him, comparing it to Indian singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s song “295.” Religious groups considered it an attempt to defame Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, resulting in a case being registered at Lahore’s Nishtar Colony Police Station.
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Due to the delicacy of blasphemy charges in Pakistan, the case took a rapid turn. Lahore’s Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Faisal Kamran, confirmed that Butt would be arrested as soon as he returned from Umrah. The Pakistan Ulema Council was also approached for advice on the issue, with authorities stressing the importance of cautious discussion of religious issues to prevent public outrage.
Butt’s Public Apology from Masjid al-Haram
Under increasing pressure, Butt made a public apology while he was in Makkah for Umrah. In a video shot at Masjid al-Haram, he was seen in Ihram, reciting Darood Sharif and taking an oath of his allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He maintained that the name of his perfume was not meant to offend and urged reconsideration of the allegations.
Clutching the Quran, Rajab Butt claimed that some sections of his initial video were supposedly edited out, causing a misinterpretation of his message. He then announced the withdrawal of the perfume and apologised to Allah, the Prophet (PBUH) and the Muslim populace.
A Pattern of Controversy
This is not Butt’s first encounter with the law. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a lion cub illegally that was given to him on his wedding day and escaped a prison sentence by agreeing to produce awareness content about animal rights. With blasphemy and cybercrime charges now against him, his fate is unsure as he awaits legal action when he returns to Pakistan.
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