Stressing harmony: ‘Blasphemy laws are to protect the innocent’

Ashrafi says action should be taken against those who misuse the laws

LAHORE: Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) chairperson Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said on Saturday that controversies between various schools of thought and sects could only be amicably resolved by ensuring the supremacy of law and holding dialogue.

Ashrafi made the remarks while meeting clerics from Sheikhupura and Wazirabad. He said the Constitution all people residing in the nation. Ashrafi said it did not allow anyone to be disenfranchised of their fundamental rights on the basis of colour, race or religion.

The PUC emphasised the significance of the blasphemy laws saying they were there to protect the innocent. He said this was why recent allegations of blasphemy in Sheikhupura and Wazirabad had turned out to be baseless. He said clerics had protected Christians in the city and foiled the conspiracies of those who had conspired to spread chaos and anarchy there.

Ashrafi said action should be taken against those guilty of misusing the blasphemy laws. He said minorities had never voiced any reservations against the laws. Ashrafi said those planning to employ the blasphemy laws to further their own vested interests were trying to stoke controversies regarding it.

Pastor Khokhar thanked the PUC and the Ilm-o-Amal Foundation for striving for the welfare of Christians in Pakistan. He also praised the police for saving a Christian family from a mob in Sheikhupura.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2015.