LAHORE – Those instigating people to murder by issuing fatwas against Blasphemy law accused must not become protectors of the respect of the Prophet (PBUH) as the right to punish the violators of the law lies with the state, Federal Information Minister Qamar uz Zaman Kaira said to a select group of columnists at a local hotel on Monday..
Kaira clarified that the government has no intent to amend the blasphemy laws. The minister said that there are laws present to deal with anyone who insults Islam or the Prophet (PBUH) and those issuing ‘fatwas’ were only playing politics.
Regarding uncontrolled incidents of target killing in Karachi, Kaira said that efforts were being made to improve the security situation in Karachi. He, however, said that the possibility of involvement of foreign hands in causing law and order situation could not be ruled out.
He said that target killing in Karachi is neither a political nor an ethnic issue, adding that some groups were targeting each other for their vested interests and would soon be put behind bars. Kaira said establishing the writ of law has been the the biggest challenge in the country. The deteriorating law and order situation was not just the problem of Karachi but it was the problem spread in the whole country. He said that foreign elements were trying to exploit the situation and all political parties must launch a collective movement.
The Information minister said that the federal government was ready to assist the provincial governments in any way possible.
He said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) was not the only inheritor of the 10-point agenda instead of this all political parties were perusing for the same agenda.
He said that PPP government was pursuing the policy of reconciliation and taking concrete steps to steer the country out of crises. He said that a viable solution would be found out with consensus on the points presented by PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Only state can punish blasphemy law violator: Kaira
