PTI calls for removing ‘flaws’ in blasphemy law
* Hashmi says amendments should be introduced to the blasphemy law to improve it
* JI says any suggestions should go to Shariat Court or CCI
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called for reviewing the blasphemy law and removal of “flaws” in it when the National Assembly resumed the debate on the Peshawar church attack on Tuesday.
PTI’s Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Dr Arif Alvi and Dr Shireen Mizari emphasised review of lacunas in the blasphemy law, if there are any, to save innocent people from being punished. Javed Hashmi said that amendments should be introduced in the blasphemy law. “I voted against it by going against the party discipline. It needs to be reviewed,” he said. Dr Shireen Mazari said that if there are lacunas in the law they should be reviewed. This suggestion was backed by her party’s colleague Dr Arif Alvi who urged for improving the law.
The Council of Islamic Ideology had on Monday said that the existing blasphemy law should not be amended. The CII also decreed that DNA test was not acceptable as primary evidence in rape cases but it could be considered as supporting evidence. Council’s Chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani had said that although the DNA testing was a useful and modern technique for supporting evidence, but it alone could not be used as primary evidence. He said a court of law could decide in the light of the DNA test when it was used with other evidences as a supporting material.
About Javed Hashmi’s proposal, Jamaat-e-Islami’s lawmaker Sahibzada Yaqoob said that the blasphemy law was made long time back and if someone had any suggestion they should go to the Shariat Court or CII. Meanwhile, on the issue of holding talks with the Taliban, PTI lawmakers backed the measure. Shireen Mizari strongly supported the dialogue process to deal with the issue of terrorism. “The dialogue process will clearly distinguish who is in favour of talks, while operation should be carried out against the rest of them,” she opined.
Arif Alvi said that strict action should be taken against the perpetrators of the terrorist attack on a church in Peshawar. However, he said, there is no need to change policy on holding talks with Taliban. Sahibzada Yaqoob said that the dialogue process should be initiated as it would help identify the groups that are in favour of the talks. JUI-F’s Aasia Nasir opposed military operation, while on the Peshawar attack she said it could be called a security lapse as the authorities concerned were frequently notified about insufficient security measures.
Taking part in the debate, Christian community’s MNA Tariq Christopher Qaiser said that legislation should not be based on religion. “All Pakistanis should be given equal rights,” he said, while noting that no person involved in terrorist attacks on Christian community has been arrested. Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael said that Sunday’s attack was an attempt to sabotage efforts for establishing peace. “These attempts should be discouraged,” he added.
Lawmaker from the treasury benches Major (r) Tahir Iqbal observed that dialogue is imperative to bring peace, and added that the use of power is not a solution. PPP’s Asghar Ali Shah said that there is a need to initiate dialogue process now. “It should not be further delayed,” he said. MNA Lal Chand stressed that there should not be discrimination with minorities. “Why are other religions not taught in the schools? Minorities’ children are made to opt the subject ‘Ethics’ or go for Islamiat,” he stated.
Meanwhile, PPP’s Abdul Sattar Bachai said that passing a resolution was not enough, and concrete measures should be taken to handle this menace. He further said that such kind of issues mostly cropped up when civilian governments are in power. MQM’s Sajid Ahmed said that the government should now take step for talks. “The government should think about second option if it fails in conducting peaceful talks,” he added. Calling for national unity in the face of the terrorist attack in Peshawar, PPP’s Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that the perpetrators of this crime should be brought to the book at any cost.
* JI says any suggestions should go to Shariat Court or CCI
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The lawmakers belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called for reviewing the blasphemy law and removal of “flaws” in it when the National Assembly resumed the debate on the Peshawar church attack on Tuesday.
PTI’s Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Dr Arif Alvi and Dr Shireen Mizari emphasised review of lacunas in the blasphemy law, if there are any, to save innocent people from being punished. Javed Hashmi said that amendments should be introduced in the blasphemy law. “I voted against it by going against the party discipline. It needs to be reviewed,” he said. Dr Shireen Mazari said that if there are lacunas in the law they should be reviewed. This suggestion was backed by her party’s colleague Dr Arif Alvi who urged for improving the law.
The Council of Islamic Ideology had on Monday said that the existing blasphemy law should not be amended. The CII also decreed that DNA test was not acceptable as primary evidence in rape cases but it could be considered as supporting evidence. Council’s Chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani had said that although the DNA testing was a useful and modern technique for supporting evidence, but it alone could not be used as primary evidence. He said a court of law could decide in the light of the DNA test when it was used with other evidences as a supporting material.
About Javed Hashmi’s proposal, Jamaat-e-Islami’s lawmaker Sahibzada Yaqoob said that the blasphemy law was made long time back and if someone had any suggestion they should go to the Shariat Court or CII. Meanwhile, on the issue of holding talks with the Taliban, PTI lawmakers backed the measure. Shireen Mizari strongly supported the dialogue process to deal with the issue of terrorism. “The dialogue process will clearly distinguish who is in favour of talks, while operation should be carried out against the rest of them,” she opined.
Arif Alvi said that strict action should be taken against the perpetrators of the terrorist attack on a church in Peshawar. However, he said, there is no need to change policy on holding talks with Taliban. Sahibzada Yaqoob said that the dialogue process should be initiated as it would help identify the groups that are in favour of the talks. JUI-F’s Aasia Nasir opposed military operation, while on the Peshawar attack she said it could be called a security lapse as the authorities concerned were frequently notified about insufficient security measures.
Taking part in the debate, Christian community’s MNA Tariq Christopher Qaiser said that legislation should not be based on religion. “All Pakistanis should be given equal rights,” he said, while noting that no person involved in terrorist attacks on Christian community has been arrested. Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael said that Sunday’s attack was an attempt to sabotage efforts for establishing peace. “These attempts should be discouraged,” he added.
Lawmaker from the treasury benches Major (r) Tahir Iqbal observed that dialogue is imperative to bring peace, and added that the use of power is not a solution. PPP’s Asghar Ali Shah said that there is a need to initiate dialogue process now. “It should not be further delayed,” he said. MNA Lal Chand stressed that there should not be discrimination with minorities. “Why are other religions not taught in the schools? Minorities’ children are made to opt the subject ‘Ethics’ or go for Islamiat,” he stated.
Meanwhile, PPP’s Abdul Sattar Bachai said that passing a resolution was not enough, and concrete measures should be taken to handle this menace. He further said that such kind of issues mostly cropped up when civilian governments are in power. MQM’s Sajid Ahmed said that the government should now take step for talks. “The government should think about second option if it fails in conducting peaceful talks,” he added. Calling for national unity in the face of the terrorist attack in Peshawar, PPP’s Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that the perpetrators of this crime should be brought to the book at any cost.
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