Print media asked to observe sanctity of Holy Quran

The federal government has asked newspapers and magazines to strictly observe the reverence of the Holy Quran as any willful desecration of a copy or extract of the Holy Book will be punishable by life imprisonment.

In a letter to the publications, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting observed on Wednesday that the verses and translations of Holy Quran after being published in the newspapers were treated in disrespectful manner which was highly regrettable and in violation of existing laws regarding offences relating to defiling of the Holy Quran.

“Whoever willfully defiles damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Quran or of an extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punished with imprisonment for life,” said the letter citing chapter XV Section 295B of Pakistan Penal Code.