ISLAMABAD – State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sumsam Ali Bukhari has stated categorically that there is no proposal to amend the anti-blasphemy act as the Namoos-e-Risalat is a sensitive matter not only for the religious-political parties but all Muslims.
Addressing a press conference at the PID Press Centre on Thursday, he said that neither the Pakistan People’s Party nor the government has discussed the issue to bring any amendment in the blasphemy law.
The state minister said that it was unfortunate that an issue was being created out of nothing as neither there was any proposal nor any bill would be tabled in the Parliament regarding the blasphemy law. However, he said that it was responsibility of the government to stop misuse of this law.
He urged the political parties not to do politics on the issue of blasphemy law as the faith of any person could not be complete without having full respect for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). About reported statement of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, he said it was his personal viewpoint and not of the party or the government.
About the Aasia Bibi case, he said that she has the right to appeal in the supreme or the high court, and after rejection of her appeal in the Supreme Court, she would have right of submitting mercy petition to head of the state. He urged the media to play its role by informing the masses that there was no proposal to amend the blasphemy law.
