KARACHI – MNA Sherry Rehman has rejected Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s statement that he had discussed her proposed amendments in the blasphemy laws with her and asked her to withdraw the bill, saying that neither had she been consulted nor had she agreed to “withdraw” her bill.
In a press statement, she said since the prime minister had announced in the National Assembly that there could not even be discussion on procedural amendments, and the committee announced by the party to amend the laws had been disbanded, then as a PPP MNA, she had no option but to abide by the party decision.
“There was never any question of withdrawing the bill as the speaker had never admitted it on the agenda. Had it appeared on the agenda, perhaps some of our colleagues would have understood that it was not suggesting repeal of the law, but protecting our great Prophet’s (PBUH) name against injustices done via procedures introduced by Ziaul Haq.”
“No citizen would expect not to protect the Prophet’s (PBUH) name. The changes I had submitted were simple: that innocent people be given a chance to prove their innocence like in all laws, and that cases be tried at the higher courts, that penalties be given according to the Holy Quran, and that no one who makes false charges in the name of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who swore always to defend the innocent and the vulnerable, go unpunished.”
