Army Chief's Crackdown on Pakistan's Hardline Islamists Cuts Blasphemy Cases by Two-Thirds

Pakistan's military-led crackdown on hardline Islamist groups has cut registered blasphemy cases by roughly two-thirds this year, following a mob attack in Karachi. The crackdown, overseen by Army Chief Asim Munir, aims to improve Western ties and safeguard EU exports, building on rapport with U.S. President Donald Trump; registered cases fell two-thirds from recent comparable periods. The largest group, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, was banned and its leaders jailed. Religious minorities report improved safety, though fear persists; analysts warn the group could re-emerge if political calculations shift.