Govt, TLP agree to stringent anti-blasphemy measures

A government ministerial team held a second round of talks with the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) and both agreed to several points, mainly pertaining to the steps to counter blasphemy, Express News reported on Thursday.

The government team included Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan and Economic Affairs Minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, while Dr Shafiq Amini, Ghulam Abbas Faizi, Mufti Umair Al-Azhari, Maulana Ghulam Ghaus and Jeelan Shah represented the TLP.

Both sides agreed that impartial and speedy trial would be conducted of blasphemy accused; steps would be taken for the establishment of a counter-blasphemy department, and a filtering system would be installed to remove indecent content from social media.

Besides Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act would be applied to accused under the Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

They further agreed that the capacity and efficiency of the already existing body to prevent desecration of the sanctity of the Islam would be enhanced so that it could carry out its work effectively.

Also read: Lecturer may face blasphemy charges for ‘incest’ quiz

It was agreed that the government would take serious steps for the return of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would write a letter to the US government in three working days for the release of Dr Siddiqui.

Besides, all the notifications issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) against the TLP would be withdrawn.