JUI-F files complaint against SU professor
Dr Mallah had protested the arrest of another academic under blasphemy charges
The complaint was filed with the FIA after the Bhitai Naqar police refused to register a case against the academic, saying that the matter fell under cybercrime. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Hyderabad leadership said on Thursday that it had filed a complaint against women's rights activist Dr Arfana Mallah, who is also a professor at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for terming the blasphemy law a "black law."
The complaint was filed with the FIA after the Bhitai Naqar police refused to register a case against the academic, saying that the matter fell under cybercrime.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, JUI-F Sindh chapter's deputy information secretary Sami Swati denied that the party was mulling filing a blasphemy case against Dr Mallah. However, he said that her calling the blasphemy law a 'black law' was an insult to the Constitution.
Pakistan police failing to comply with blasphemy law procedures: US report
"Nobody can be allowed to call the law black," he said.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio told The Express Tribune that Dr Mallah, too, had filed an application seeking police protection.
"We have offered her our complete support and will give her protection as and when required," he said.
Dr Mallah faced criticism from various circles after she put up a Facebook status protesting the arrest of Shah Abdul Latif University's Prof Sajjad Soomro under blasphemy charges. Soomro's arrest on Wednesday had caused hue and cry on social media.
When approached, Dr Mallah said in her defence, "I didn't write a word against any religion or personality but just pointed out that the law is being misused." She accused JUI-F's local leadership of "provoking its followers to kill her" and initiating an organised campaign against her.
The academic confirmed that she had submitted applications for police protection to the Hyderabad SSP and DIG.
On the other hand, JUI-F's move against Dr Mallah has also sparked outcry among human and women rights activists, who have condemned the party's act.
Earlier this year, Dr Mallah and other activists had come under fire by the JUI-F for organising an Aurat March rally in Sukkur in March.
Jamiat Ulema-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Hyderabad leadership said on Thursday that it had filed a complaint against women's rights activist Dr Arfana Mallah, who is also a professor at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for terming the blasphemy law a "black law."
The complaint was filed with the FIA after the Bhitai Naqar police refused to register a case against the academic, saying that the matter fell under cybercrime.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, JUI-F Sindh chapter's deputy information secretary Sami Swati denied that the party was mulling filing a blasphemy case against Dr Mallah. However, he said that her calling the blasphemy law a 'black law' was an insult to the Constitution.
Pakistan police failing to comply with blasphemy law procedures: US report
"Nobody can be allowed to call the law black," he said.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio told The Express Tribune that Dr Mallah, too, had filed an application seeking police protection.
"We have offered her our complete support and will give her protection as and when required," he said.
Dr Mallah faced criticism from various circles after she put up a Facebook status protesting the arrest of Shah Abdul Latif University's Prof Sajjad Soomro under blasphemy charges. Soomro's arrest on Wednesday had caused hue and cry on social media.
When approached, Dr Mallah said in her defence, "I didn't write a word against any religion or personality but just pointed out that the law is being misused." She accused JUI-F's local leadership of "provoking its followers to kill her" and initiating an organised campaign against her.
The academic confirmed that she had submitted applications for police protection to the Hyderabad SSP and DIG.
On the other hand, JUI-F's move against Dr Mallah has also sparked outcry among human and women rights activists, who have condemned the party's act.
Earlier this year, Dr Mallah and other activists had come under fire by the JUI-F for organising an Aurat March rally in Sukkur in March.