JUI-F chief slams govt's aim to amend blasphemy law

The party chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, also criticsed the role of Salman Taseer with regard to the blasphemy law. PHOTO: EPA/FILE

PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Sunday said that the government should reconsider its policy regarding the United States (US) and amending the blasphemy law, stating that it was against the wishes of the people.

Speaking at a gathering in Peshawar, he said that the government wanted to change the blasphemy law as a favor to the US. Fazl also criticised the role of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer in the blasphemy law case, saying it was a sensitive issue and the JUI-F would not allow him to support his agenda.

He also criticised the military operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and said that it was against the resolutions passed in parliament.

The JUI-F had recently pulled out from the federal alliance after Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s orders to sack Senator Azam Swati, the wealthiest member of the JUI-F. Swati was embroiled in a public war of words with Religious Minister Hamid Kazmi, who is faced with allegations of corruption in Hajj arrangements. Kazmi was also sacked along with Swati.