Pakistan

Govt taking measures to prevent misuse of blasphemy law: President Mamnoon

Says blasphemy law in Pakistan applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and is non-discriminatory

Our Correspondent April 15, 2015

President Mamnoon Hussain stands with the delegation of German South Asian Parliamentary Group at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the government is taking effective measures to prevent the misuse of blasphemy law in Pakistan.

While meeting a delegation of the German South Asian Parliamentary Group at the President House on Wednesday, President Mamnoon said blasphemy law in Pakistan applied to both Muslims and non-Muslims, and was non-discriminatory.

Regarding death penalty, the president said Pakistan pursued its policy on the death penalty in light of the Constitution and international law, adding that Pakistan’s decision to lift the moratorium on death penalty shall act as a deterrent to the financiers and handlers of terrorism.

Read: Easter festival: President, PM felicitate Christian community

He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to fight terrorism and extremism, saying that Operation Zarb-e-Azb would continue indiscriminately till the country was peaceful again.

The president said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Germany, desiring betterment in enhancing bilateral contacts, parliamentary exchanges, trade and cooperation in defence, counterterrorism and energy, among other sectors.

President Mamnoon said Pakistan anticipated the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Pakistan in 2015.

COMMENTS (4)

Dr. A. K. Tewari | 9 years ago | Reply Only a secular Pakistan can survive in this secular world . Ummat is ,eaningless . In case of Yamen the reality is open before the entire world . Islam being nurished in Pakistan will be enough to devoure it . The future belong to Oriental Islam which will be peace loving in real sense .

Rex Minor | 9 years ago | Reply A load of nonsense parroted by the President of Pakistan who has neither a political mandate nor any authority in a parliamentry democracy. The blesphamy law is a carryover from the colonial period but has acquired a different dimension, thereby being discriminately used against non muslims. There are alternatives ofcourse which are not linked with capital punishment. Unless Pakistan change its course, the German parliamentarians will be compelled to propose trade sanctions against Pakistan. Rex Minor

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Bakhtawar | 9 years ago | Reply Dear President, Why would you suggest that the Blasphemy Law is not discriminatory. I know that the chances of you falling prey to it are very slim but think about ordinary Pakistanis. I don't think I have to mention how innocent minorities, including a 8 year old girl, are prosecuted on baseless charges by narrow-minded Mullahs. When was the last time someone was charged for insulting the religious beliefs of minorities. Then again, we're not exactly first-class citizens since many of us have been targeted by fanatics and radical clerics. I hope Pakistan gets a Nelson Mandela to speak on behalf of its minorities.

woody | 9 years ago | Reply Name one thing Pakistan has done to reign in the abuse of Blasphemy laws? Talks cheap and Pakistan is famous for saying the right thing and while doing nothing. We remember the poor Christan girl who had to flee the country based on false charges from her local Imam - what ever happen to that holy man?

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