Blasphemy Law in Pakistan: Minorities Fail to Reach Consensus
ISLAMABAD: Minority law makers here on Monday failed to reach a consensus whether the controversial blasphemy law should be abolished or amended to prevent its misuse and redress the grievances of the minority communities in the country.
The first ever meeting of its kind was attended by minority members of parliament and four provincial assemblies.
However, the meeting, ‘National consultation of minority parliamentarians and members provincial assemblies’, could not reach a consensus over the future of the blasphemy law.
It was decided that the elected members would consult their respective political leaderships over the issue before the next consultative session to be held in January 2010 to evolve a joint course of action.
The participants decided that a modus operand would be adopted after holding discussions with political parties, religious groups, religious scholars and human rights organisations as well as people belonging to different faiths.
The meeting, presided over by Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, agreed to continue to engage the society for collective efforts to resolve minorities’ problems.
The minority parliamentarians condemned terrorist attacks on Korian, Gojra, Sialkot and other parts of the country and demanded the arrest of the culprits and efforts to check such incidents in the future.
They also decided to continue their efforts for interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and solidarity and prosperity of the country.
The meeting also condemned the terrorist attack on GHQ and admired the role of Pakistan Army in checking the terrorist activities.
ISLAMABAD: Minority law makers here on Monday failed to reach a consensus whether the controversial blasphemy law should be abolished or amended to prevent its misuse and redress the grievances of the minority communities in the country.
The first ever meeting of its kind was attended by minority members of parliament and four provincial assemblies.
However, the meeting, ‘National consultation of minority parliamentarians and members provincial assemblies’, could not reach a consensus over the future of the blasphemy law.
It was decided that the elected members would consult their respective political leaderships over the issue before the next consultative session to be held in January 2010 to evolve a joint course of action.
The participants decided that a modus operand would be adopted after holding discussions with political parties, religious groups, religious scholars and human rights organisations as well as people belonging to different faiths.
The meeting, presided over by Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, agreed to continue to engage the society for collective efforts to resolve minorities’ problems.
The minority parliamentarians condemned terrorist attacks on Korian, Gojra, Sialkot and other parts of the country and demanded the arrest of the culprits and efforts to check such incidents in the future.
They also decided to continue their efforts for interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and solidarity and prosperity of the country.
The meeting also condemned the terrorist attack on GHQ and admired the role of Pakistan Army in checking the terrorist activities.
