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Pakistani Lawmakers Demand Stricter Anti-Blasphemy Laws
 [TimesofIndia] ISLAMABAD: Pakistani provincial lawmakers have unanimously passed a resolution asking the central government to make new or improve existing laws to sternly punish blasphemers and recommended setting up of a Saudi Arabia like central screening or filtration system to intercept sacrilegious material on social media.The resolution was passed by Punjab's provincial assembly on Tuesday. The lawmakers asked for strict implementation of existing anti-blasphemy laws and asked the federal government to formulate more laws to pave the way for taking stern action against people who commit blasphemy. According to the resolution, the existing anti-blasphemy laws in the country were not being enforced in letter and spirit, allowing some people to commit blasphemy in the garb of freedom of expression. Oh noze ! It said blasphemous content was available on social media and also in the international print and electronic media. Some importers too were importing books containing such material, hurting the feelings of Muslims. "Therefore, this house demands the immediate establishment of a Saudi Arabia like central filtration and screening system to prevent blasphemous content. Laws should immediately be made to prevent printing and sale of local or foreign religious books without the certification of Muthidda Ulema Board (a body of clerics) and the federal religious affairs ministry, also disallowing presentation of such material in regular and social media," the resolution stated. "The books containing blasphemous material should immediately be confiscated and their import be disallowed," it added. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive subject in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob violence. Anyone convicted, or even just accused, of insulting Islam, risks a violent and bloody death at the hands of vigilantes. Rights groups said the blasphemy laws are routinely abused to seek vengeance and settle personal scores, primarily property-related disputes. In 2017, a mob had beaten up a student, Mashal Khan, to death at a university campus in Pakistan’s northwest after accusing him of blasphemy over social media. Last year, the Supreme Court acquitted Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman earlier sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, after accepting her appeal against her sentence. Despite the court's order in her favour, she could not stay in Pakistan due to threats to her life from religious zealots. Rights activists and independent observers have long been speaking out against blasphemy laws and its misuse, but Pakistani authorities, realizing the gravity of the situation, cannot consider abolishing or amending it. A mere suggestion for softening the blasphemy law can threaten lives of its critics. Prominent leaders, including former Punjab's governor Salman Taseer and ex-federal minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, were gunned down during broad daylight in Islamabad for merely suggesting amendment in the blasphemy law to stop its abuse and misuse. Related: Anti-blasphemy law: 2016-03-26 Hefazat, Jamaat protest state religion hearing Anti-blasphemy law: 2014-05-06 Shafi: Awami Leaguers are always with us Anti-blasphemy law: 2012-09-28 'Halt Nato supplies' mantra revived Posted by: Dron66046 2020-01-02 |
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