ISLAMABAD – Lawmakers on Thursday advised the government to handle the blasphemy law issue with great care and prudence, as an immature decision could translate into a religio-political turmoil in the country, giving religious fanaticism a new lease of life.
Akram Masih Gill of the PML-Q said the blasphemy law was being misused and needed certain amendments. He asked parliament and the judiciary to play their role in this regard, failing to which would result in loss of identity of these institutions.
He urged the chief justice of Pakistan to take a suo-motu notice of the cold-blooded murder of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer and bring all those to justice who issued Fatwas (decrees) against or announced head money for the late PPP leader.
Earlier, members of the National Assembly offered prayers for Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer and Minister of State for Information Sumsam Bukhari, on a request by NA Speaker Fehmida Mirza, led the prayers.
However, some legislators did not participate in the prayers and kept silent. These included Attaur Rehman of the JUI-F and some PML-N legislators.
Leader of the Opposition Nisar Ali Khan expressed grief over the assassination of the Salmaan Taseer, however, the PML-N leader warned the government against politicising the issue. He said politicising the assassination of Taseer was unfortunate and such elements wanted to drag the country into turmoil.
“Should we also say that the murder of Mir Murtaza Bhutto was a political assassination when then provincial and federal governments of the PPP were responsible for his security?” he said.
PPP leader Riaz Pirzada also paid tribute to Salmaan Taseer, saying there must be some terrorist organisation behind his murder.
Attaur Rehman of the JUI-F demanded the government immediately abolish the committee tasked with reviewing blasphemy laws.
“I warn the government that if it does not act to withdraw the bills…Taseer’s assassination may not be the last,” he said.
Saad Rafique of the PML-N said no one could even think of reducing the punishment of a blasphemer, however, procedural changes could be made in the law.
