No amendments to blasphemy law, says Rehman

PESHAWAR – Interior Minister Rehman Malik has denied any plans to amend the blasphemy law and has requested religious circles to remain peaceful.
“The government will not amend the blasphemy law,” Rehman Malik remarked while talking to reporters at Pirpayee Nowshehra on Thursday. Rehman Malik arrived in Nowshehra for expressing condolence over the death of late Provincial Governor and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Major General (Retd) Naseer Ullah Khan Babar.
Malik offered fateha for the departed soul and extended sympathies with members of the bereaved family. He also paid glowing tributes to late Naseer Ullah Khan Babar for his services to the country and the PPP.
Answering a question, Rehman Malik clarified that Sherry Rehman has moved certain proposals regarding amendments in the blasphemy law in her individual capacity. The bill was referred to a special committee headed by Shehbaz Bhatti. The committee, Malik said, has already been dissolved by the prime minister.
On this occasion Interior Minister Rehman Malik requested religious scholars and leaders to remain peaceful and to negotiate with the government.
In response to another question, Rehman Malik said that the government is making efforts to restore peace in Karachi. In this connection, he said that all stakeholders were being consulted. He, however, avoided comments on the appointment of Latif Khosa as governor with consulting Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz group.