Taseer for repealing of blasphemy law

Thursday, September 17, 2009

By our correspondent

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer has suggested repealing of the blasphemy law to protect the minorities.

“The blasphemy law should be repealed to protect the religious minorities, particularly in the wake of increasing incidents of Christians’ persecution by religious extremists,” he said this while replying to reporters’ queries at an Iftar-dinner hosted by PPP Lahore Information Secretary Azhar Mughal on Wednesday.

Answering a question, the governor avoided holding the Punjab government responsible for the Gojra incident, saying he would not talk about the Punjab government for obvious reasons. However, he said protecting the religious minorities was the responsibility of the state and the government. He said Gojra-like incidents were the result of growing religious extremism.

Answering another question about the PML-N’s decision to bring a resolution in parliament over President Zardari’s alleged admission of providing a safe exit to former president Musharraf, the governor said tabling resolutions in parliament was a democratic right of all the parties. He, however, denied the PPP had struck any deal with Musharraf in return for his resignation from the presidency.

“There was no written deal, but the PPP and political forces pressurised Musharraf to step down. Some international powers also played role in this regard since they wanted him to leave peacefully without causing further harm to democracy,” he added.

The governor said it was widely feared that Musharraf could resort to more extra-constitutional steps if forced to resign. He said the PPP leadership cornered Musharraf in such a way that it was difficult for him to escape.

(The News International)