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‘Blasphemy cases only after SP’s investigation’

Staff Report

LAHORE: The proposed revised blasphemy laws requires a superintendent of police (SP) to register a case after a thorough investigation, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq told reporters after attending a seminar, National Solidarity and Unity, on Friday

Mr Haq said the government would revise the defamation and hudood laws.

He said the government was facing problems because of the procedural implementation of the laws.

He said under the blasphemy laws, promulgated in 1866, the first case was registered in 1927 and nine cases by 1984. He said from 1984 to 2004, around 5,000 cases were registered. He said that the blasphemy laws not only provide a legal cover to Muslims but also safe-guarded minorities.

He said hounour killings were contrary to Islam and forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the government was introducing strict punishment for those convicted over honour killing.

He said that the data of honor killing was being collected to examine every case and the circumstances in which the events took place. He said that the government would increase the punishment in this crime.

He said accusing someone without solid proof was a hideous crime and the government would introduce severe punishment and order a public apology for the suspects.

Earlier, addressing the seminar, the federal minister claimed that there was no sectarianism in country and the rights of minorities were being protected by the Musharraf government.

Advocate Hukam Qurashi, former MPA Haji Shahbaz Ahmad and chief organiser of the Bazam Danish Siman W Jonson addressed the seminar.

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