Minority MPAs want blasphemy law reviewed

Punjab Assembly’s (PA) minority members demanded on Wednesday that the government review Section 295-C of the PPC, since it is being used to persecute minority citizens.

Minority members from both treasury and opposition benches condemned the killing of two Christians in Faisalabad over alleged blasphemy. However, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan denied a security failure, saying that the accused had been provided adequate protection.

PML-N minority member Amir Javed Sahotra and PML-Q’s Engr Shehzad Elahi protested against the murders of Rashid Masih and Sajid Masih while in police protection. Sahotra, rising on a point of order, said that the incident had caused minorities in the country to feel insecure. He proposed an amendment to the existing blasphemy law saying, “There should be punishment for the person who failed to prove his allegation.” He also lauded the role of the Cathedral Church in calming down the volatile tempers in Faisalabad after the incident.

Shehzad Elahi of the PML-Q said that no Christian could use derogatory words about any prophet. He said Christians believed in tolerance. Elahi said the Christians were “peaceful and loyal citizens”. He also criticised the FIR registration procedure in blasphemy cases and demanded a judicial inquiry. Elahi also expressed his dissatisfaction with the security provided to the victims.

Replying to the lack of security charge, the law minister maintained that there had been “no security lapse because a sub-inspector, a head constable and four constables were deputed to provide them security. The murderer had come to the court disguised as a lawyer, which is why he was able to kill them,” he added.

Sanaullah – who also hails from Faisalabad – said the government had already ordered a judicial inquiry.

The Home Department has sent a reference to the Lahore High Court to constitute a judicial committee, which will be formed soon, he assured the House.

Referring to the Gojra tragedy, Sanaullah said that the incident had also been investigated by a judge  who had held some DMG officers responsible. He added that the Punjab government had asked the federal government to take action against the officers.

The opposition members staged a token walkout from the House to protest against the ‘arrest’ of MPA Munawar Manj while he was campaigning for the NA100 by-election.

The leader of the Opposition, Chaudhry Zaheerud Din, while speaking on a point of order, accused the ruling party of using unfair means. He termed the arrest an attempt to cut short their “successful campaign in the constituency”. Addressing the Speaker, he said, “No MPA can be arrested without your knowledge. If he [Manj] has been arrested, you should issue a ‘Production Order’.” Zaheerud Din also demanded that the government should issue weapons’ licences to the legislators for their security. Another opposition member, Mohsin Leghari, seconded Zaheerud Din’s demands.

Rana Sanaullah said that Manj had not been arrested. Three of his guards were booked by the Gujranwala police for bearing illegal weapons, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2010.