Imagine using your platform to share your beliefs, only to find yourself behind bars for it. That’s the shocking reality for Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, a Pakistani YouTuber famous for his Islamic lectures, who was recently arrested for alleged blasphemous remarks against the Prophet Muhammad.

This incident unfolded on August 26 when Jhelum police took Mirza into custody following complaints from a religious group. With over 3.1 million subscribers, Mirza’s videos have garnered attention and sparked discussions, but it was his recent comments that went viral—and not in the good way. He was reportedly discussing a specific group’s perspective on the Prophet and repeated phrases that raised eyebrows and led to his arrest.

Under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance in Pakistan, authorities have the power to detain individuals deemed a threat to public safety. In Mirza's case, he was held for 30 days before being transferred to jail. This move has sent shockwaves through the community, raising pressing questions about the balance between public safety and freedom of expression.

As legal expert Mohammad Shakir Raza Rizvi pointed out in a piece for The Friday Times, the MPO often serves as a weapon for governments, allowing them to silence dissenters and maintain the status quo. Mirza’s situation highlights a broader issue in Pakistan, where many face similar fates for expressing controversial opinions.

While some support the authorities’ actions as necessary for public safety, many more are alarmed by the implications for free speech in a country where voicing dissent can lead to severe consequences. The real question is: can we navigate the sensitive waters of religious discourse without sacrificing our right to speak freely?