We should revisit blasphemy law: Asfandyar Wali Khan
April 21st, 2011 - 10:20 pm ICT by ANINew Delhi, Apr 21 (ANI): Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Thursday said that there is a need to revisit the blasphemy law.
“No law is absolutely good or flawed, scarping the blasphemy law is one thing, we actually want to revisit the law and see what changes can be brought,” said Khan.
“I say it openly that I am a liberal, democrat and secular and when I say I am secular my views on the law is clear,” he added, while emphasizing on his secular credential.
Governor of Punjab Province Salman Taseer and Christian leader Shahabaz Bhatti lost their lives because they wanted to reform the law, which human rights groups term as archaic and discriminatory, and has been used as a tool to repress and torture minority in Pakistan.
Asfandyar Wali, who came under a terrorist attack last year, is one of the few Pakistani politicians openly asking for a revisit of the law.
Former Federal Minister for Information Sherry Rehman is also favouring the amendment of law. However, the top brass of Pakistani establishment, which includes Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has backtracked.
Asfandyar Wali Khan, grandson of legendary Pashtun leader Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who is popularly known as Frontier Gandhi or Badshah Khan, is here on the invitation of Jamia Milia Islamia University.
Earlier in the day, he launched the Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan memorial lecture. Khan is also a member of the National Assembly. (ANI)
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Tags: asif ali zardari, awami national party, badshah khan, bhatti, blasphemy law, christian leader, federal minister, frontier gandhi, human rights groups, invitation, jamia milia islamia university, liberal democrat, memorial lecture, national assembly, New Delhi, politicians, sherry rehman, terrorist attack, top brass, wali khan