Pakistani YouTube star Rajab Butt has been charged with blasphemy following the launch of his perfume named “295”, a reference to Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.
The case was filed after his video promoting the fragrance sparked outrage, particularly from the hardline Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which places blasphemy at the core of its political agenda.
Butt, who boasts millions of followers online, announced the perfume in a now-deleted video, referencing Section 295 of Pakistan’s penal code, which deals with blasphemy. The move triggered widespread condemnation, with TLP leader Haider Ali Shah Gillani filing a formal complaint against him on Monday.
“There are numerous sections in the penal code, but why did he choose blasphemy-related sections to name a perfume?” Gillani was quoted by the news agency AFP, accusing Butt of attempting to “normalise” disrespect towards religious laws.
According to AFP, the police charge sheet confirms that Butt has been charged under both blasphemy and cybercrime laws. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
As the controversy increased, Butt released an apology video on Sunday, holding a Quran as he sought forgiveness. “I apologise for the words I uttered during the launch of the perfume,” he said. He also announced the immediate discontinuation of the product.
The controversy also relates to the late Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala’s song “295,” which also referenced blasphemy laws. Butt had previously likened himself to Moose Wala, claiming they both faced persecution under similar legal provisions, according to Daily Pakistan.
This is not Butt’s first legal battle. In January, he pleaded guilty to illegally owning a lion cub, which he had received as a wedding gift.
A Pakistani court ordered him to create 12 educational videos on animal welfare as part of his punishment. He avoided jail time by pledging to use his platform to raise awareness about responsible treatment of wild animals.
Blasphemy remains an extremely sensitive issue in Pakistan, where accusations, often unverified, can lead to mob violence and even killings.
The legal provisions under Section 295 have been widely criticised by human rights groups for being used as a tool to target individuals, including religious minorities and public figures.
