In a seminar titled The Blasphemy Laws, a call for review arranged by Jinnah Institute, the speakers termed it discriminatory against minorities.
The articles 295, 295-A, B and C are part of this law that calls for arrest and sentencing of persons who defame the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
However, this law has been widely used by persons to settle their personal vendettas. This law came into the limelight when a Christian lady Asia Bibi was indicted by villagers in which she resided. In the seminar, it was mentioned that in a number of cases, some Muslims were also indicted and sometimes they had to leave the country. A strong resistance is being shown by religious hardliners and they are calling for nationwide strikes if a step is taken to repeal this law. All the responsible citizens of the country must call to repeal the law as it is not only discriminatory but is widely used to settle personnel enmities.
Zainab Ali
Islamabad
