Religious parties reject plans to amend blasphemy law

LAHORE: Rejecting any changes to the Namoos-e-Risalat Act – or the blasphemy law – religious parties have warned the government that they will not accept any move to repeal or amend the law.

The Jamaat Ahl-e-Hadith Pakistan and the Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Haqooq Ahl-e-Sunnat – which hold more sway in Lahore, Multan and southern Punjab compared to other areas of the province – organised religious conventions on Saturday to “condemn” suggestions by the government to amend the act.

Addressing one of the conventions, Jamaat Ahl-e-Hadith Pakistan chief Hafiz Abdul Guffar Ropari and leaders Hafiz Abdul Wahab Ropari and Maulana Muhammad Abdullah refused to accept any changes to the law. They said the government must not amend the law “if it wants to remain in power”. They said those who believed in Islam would come out onto the streets if a single change was made. The Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Haqooq Ahl-e-Sunnat also organised a conference, and central party leaders – including Haji Abdul Majeed Saifi, Mufti Muhammad Asif Naumani, Mufti Muhammad Afzal Chishti and Mian Ghulam Shabbir Qadri – censured the government the government for sending the Blasphemy Act to a National Assembly standing committee for revision. hussain kashif

(Daily Times)