Gilani assures international community against misuse of Pak’s blasphemy law
March 5th, 2011 - 1:41 pm ICT by ANI
Islamabad, Mar 5(ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has reassured the international community that his government is serious about stopping the misuse of the country’s laws, including the one on blasphemy.
“Misuse of any law of the country cannot be accepted and that the government is already in consultation with all religious and political stakeholders on the issue,” the Dawn quoted Gilani, as saying.
He made these comments while talking to a Canadian delegation led by Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister for Multiculturalism, Citizenship and Immigration.
The blasphemy law has been a source of confusion and controversy as both national and international critics have been calling for reforms in the law to avoid its misuse.
But the Pakistan government, under pressure from religious extremists in the country, backtracked from amending the law by withdrawing a piece of legislation introduced in the National Assembly by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rahman seeking to address the issue.
Talking about Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, who was assassinated on Wednesday over the blasphemy law reform issue, Gilani said he should not be projected by the international media and community as merely a minority leader, as he was a national figure who championed interfaith harmony.
He said the tragedy must not be misconstrued as an example of persecution of Christians or minorities in Pakistan because doing so would only amount to grave injustice to the life and work of Bhatti.
“This misperception will only help advance the nefarious agenda of terrorist elements in Pakistan and abroad,” Gilani added. (ANI)
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