LAHORE: The Federal government on Monday was issued a notice for December 23 in relation to a petition filed in the Lahore High Court seeking a stay order to stop government from tabling blasphemy laws amendment bill in the parliament.
The petition filed by Muhammad Nasir stated that the parliament had no right to amend the blasphemy law. Nasir’s counsel said the federal government was planning to table a blasphemy law amendment bill in the parliament and this was against the commandments of the Holy Quran and hence should be stopped from doing so, adding that the parliament cannot soften punishments linked to the offence of blasphemy.
Upon inquiry by Chief justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Deputy Attorney General Naseem Kashmiri rejected the allegation and said no such amendment was being framed. The petition was admitted for regular hearing set for December 23.
AASIA PARDON CASE: The petition against federal government’s bid to pardon blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi also came before the court on Monday, the hearing date for which was also set to December 23 after DAG requested for more time to submit a reply. On the previous day the CJ had sought reply from the federal government restraining the president of Pakistan from the pardoning Aasia Bibi until her appeal stood pending with the Lahore High Court.
According to Article 45 of the Constitution of Pakistan, Aasia Bibi cannot be pardoned by President because her case is sub judice, the counsel pleaded, adding that that President Zardari does not have the authority to pardon those convicted of blasphemy.
