Muslim scholars to look into abuse of blasphemy law

Jan 16, 2011 |

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Karachi: A group of Muslim religious scholars in Pakistan have said they would form a committee to look into the misuse of the controversial blasphemy law, amid accusations that it was being used to settle rivalries.

The group comprising members from different Islamic sects met Interior Minister Rehman Malik here yesterday. Following the meeting, they announced that they would form a 10-member committee to look into the issue of misuse of the blasphemy law. The group spearhead, Haji Hanif Tayyab, a Barelvi Sunni Muslim leader, said the purpose was to address concerns about misuse of the law.

Civil and human rights activists have said that the blasphemy law is often used to settle rivalries or persecute religious minorities. The law came under debate after a Christian woman was sentenced to death after being convicted under the law for insulting Prophet Mohammad. Amendments were proposed to the law to prevent it from being misused.

Former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, who was a vocal proponent for changes in the controversial law, was killed recently by his security guard, who said he was upset by the former's statements.

Around 40,000 people, on the call of religious groups, demonstrated in Karachi last week against amendments in the blasphemy law with some of them hailing Qadri as a hero of Islam.

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