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

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.

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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.