The recent case of Aasia Bibi that has been doing the rounds in the media should inspire a round of introspection in the Pakistani society. These laws have a lot of loopholes and can easily be manipulated for the persecution of minorities and nefarious designs. The widespread religious sentiment in Pakistan needs to be respected but the rights of minorities are as sacrosanct as those of the majority.
These laws need to be taken to the drawing board and the religious circles of Pakistan need to understand that repealing or modifying these laws does not mean the condoning of blasphemy. Blasphemy laws exist in many countries but they also have clauses to protect them from being misused by miscreants. The rights of minorities have been ensured in the very religion that these blasphemy laws seek to protect. The Parliament should definitely review these laws and their implementation in case law as victims like Aasia are also the daughters of Pakistan.
SARDAR ALI
Lahore
