Government appeases religious parties on blasphemy law

[mehru]

ISLAMABAD, Dec 29: In a move to appease religious parties, the government told the National Assembly on Wednesday it had no mind to change the controversial anti-blasphemy law often seen misused against members of minority communities, but appeared calm against political theatrics of some volatile allies.

Religious Affairs Minister Khurshid Ahmed Shah interrupted the house proceedings to make a policy statement “with full responsibility” that the “government has no intention to repeal the anti-blasphemy law and to disown a private bill of a PPP member proposing changes in the Zia-era law to abolish a mandatory death sentence against a convict provided by it and to guard against miscarriage of justice.

The government assurance came ahead of what has been described as a countrywide “shutter down strike” called for Friday by a religious grouping seeking to protect the dignity of the holy prophet Mohammad (PBUH), or “namoos-i-risalat”. “The government regards safeguarding ‘namoos-i-risalat’ as its responsibility and believes in it”, the minister said and, in a reference to the daft submitted by former information minister Sherry Rehman but yet to come before the house, added: “If someone has brought a private bill, it has nothing to do with the government.”

Mr Shah also assured the house that the government would not allow any wrong done to minorities, which have often complained of false accusations made against their members under a law enforced by former military dictator Gen Mohammad Zia-u-Haq as part of his controversial campaign to Islamise the Pakistani society. But he did not specify any measures to do that.

The strike call was given by a “Namoos-i-Risalat” conference held in Islamabad on Dec 15 under the auspices of Majlis-i-Tahafuz Khatam-e-Nabuwat (association for the protection of the finality of prophethood), which was also attended by the representatives of some banned religious groups operating under new names.

Government appeases religious parties on blasphemy law | Latest news, Breaking news, Pakistan News, World news, business, sport and multimedia | DAWN.COM

 

[mehru]

"Congratulations" everyone. Religious goons have won again.

 

[Muhammad-Bin-Qasim]

"Congratulations" everyone. Religious goons have won again.

Would you rather have people insult Muslims and Muhammad saw Mehru and get away with it?

Religious goons paints a very tiny version of the bigger picture...

 

[mehru]

Would you rather have people insult Muslims and Muhammad saw Mehru and get away with it?

Religious goons paints a very tiny version of the bigger picture...

Obviously not but i don't understand that how the honour of our prophet(P.B.U.H) is in danger in a Muslim majority country?

Besides Sherry Rehman was only trying to modify the law so that it is not exploited. Noone was removing the law altogether but our religious mafia didn't like it either.

What do you mean by big picture. Can you elaborate?

 

[Developereo]

The optimist in me hopes this was a pragmatic move to avoid inflaming an already tense situation with trigger happy religious extremists in Pakistan. We need to work with the religious parties right now to help re-educate the extremists.

But there is an equal chance this was just a spineless appeasement by the government. This will only make the mullahs bolder next time, which is the last thing we need in Pakistan.

 

[aviator]

Can someone kindly point to proper definition of these laws with some government link, I may plan a trip to pakistan in coming summer and would like to stay within laws of the country and not get into any mess. Is it only about insulting the religion or even contradicting may lead to arrests. How much freedom of speech does these laws permit.

Regards

 

[Farooq]

Developereo,

How sad! If someone insults The Beloved Prophet (Salalaho Alaihe Wasalam), there is no reaction from the likes of you secularists.

However, if someone had insulted Quad-e-Azam you and all the other nationalists on this forum would have been up in arms.
Until you people hold a higher regard for country and nationalism over Islam, the "Islamic" Republic of Pakistan will remain a circus on the world stage.

 

[mehru]

Can someone kindly point to proper definition of these laws with some government link, I may plan a trip to pakistan in coming summer and would like to stay within laws of the country and not get into any mess. Is it only about insulting the religion or even contradicting may lead to arrests. How much freedom of speech does these laws permit.

Regards

XV​

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO RELIGION​

295. Injuring or defiling place of worship, with Intent to insult the religion of any class:
Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction damage or defilement as an insult to their religion. shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

106[
295-A. Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs:
Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the 'religious feelings of any class of the citizens of Pakistan, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations insults the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine, or with both.

] 106
107[
295-B. Defiling, etc., of Holy Qur'an:
Whoever wilfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Qur'an or of an extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life.

] 107
108[
295-C. Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet:
Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

] 108
296. Disturbing religious assembly:
Whoever voluntarily causes disturbance to any assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship, or religious ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

297. Trespassing on burial places, etc.:
Whoever, with the intention of wounding the feelings of any person, or of insulting the religion of any person, or with the knowledge that the feelings of any person are likely to be wounded, or that the religion of any person is likely to be insulted thereby, commits any trespass in any place of worship or on any place of sculpture, or any place set apart for the performance of funeral rites or as a, depository for the remains of the dead, or offers any indignity to any human corpse or causes disturbance to any persons assembled for the performance of funeral ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.

298. Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings:
Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person or makes any gesture in the sight of that person or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or with both.

109[
298-A. Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of holy personages:
Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of any wife (Ummul Mumineen), or members of the family (Ahle-bait), of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), or any of the righteous Caliphs (Khulafa-e-Rashideen) or companions (Sahaaba) of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

] 109
110[
298-B. Misuse of epithets, descriptions and titles, etc., reserved for certain holy personages or places:
(1) Any person of the Quadiani group or the Lahori group (who call themselves 'Ahmadis' or by any other name who by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation-
(a) refers to or addresses, any person, other than a Caliph or companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as "Ameer-ul-Mumineen", "Khalifatul- Mumineen", Khalifa-tul-Muslimeen", "Sahaabi" or "Razi Allah Anho";
(b) refers to, or addresses, any person, other than a wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as "Ummul-Mumineen";
(c) refers to, or addresses, any person, other than a member of the family "Ahle-bait" of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as "Ahle-bait"; or
(d) refers to, or names, or calls, his place of worship a "Masjid";
shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Any person of the Qaudiani group or Lahori group (who call themselves "Ahmadis" or by any other name) who by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation refers to the mode or form of call to prayers followed by his faith as "Azan", or recites Azan as used by the Muslims, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine.


298-C. Person of Quadiani group, etc., calling himself a Muslim or preaching or propagating his faith:
Any person of the Quadiani group or the Lahori group (who call themselves 'Ahmadis' or by any other name), who directly or indirectly, poses himself as a Muslim, or calls, or refers to, his faith as Islam, or preaches or propagates his faith, or invites others to accept his faith, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or in any manner whatsoever outrages the religious feelings of Muslims shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860)

 

[aviator]

XV​

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO RELIGION​

106[
295-A. Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs:

298. Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings:
Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person or makes any gesture in the sight of that person or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or with both.

Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860)

Thanks. I find religious talks boring but what is someone tries to preach religion to me over there and it turns into a theism vs atheism debate where I say god doesn't exists, religions are man made ideologies, such things are considered as insults ? I am not dumb enough to use foul language but I know enough scientific arguments to get me into trouble , do non-muslims have right to express. What is tolerance level of pakistanis(karachi) in that context.

Would I have right to disagree or just sit dumb and repeat No Comments.

 

[Tin Man]

"islamic" republic of pakistan "is" a circus on the world stage because of these damned illiterate mullahs. The mullah's need to be shut down i we hope for any kind of progress. Personally i wouldn't be skeptical if someone said mullahs were on the RAW payroll.

 

[Developereo]

How sad! If someone insults The Beloved Prophet (Salalaho Alaihe Wasalam), there is no reaction from the likes of you secularists.

I agree there should be a law to respect all religions and it should be limited and strictly defined. The blasphemy law right now is abused to settle personal scores and being ridiculous cases against people. Remember the guy who threw a business card in the trash?

Pakistan has a serious problem with underfunded and ineffective law enforcement. I would much prefer our limited resources go towards serious crimes like rape, child abuse, murder and terrorism. I am pretty sure Rasoolullah would prefer us to focus on these evils first.

Until you people hold a higher regard for country and nationalism over Islam, the "Islamic" Republic of Pakistan will remain a circus on the world stage.

Pakistan is not the guardian of Islam; nobody in the Muslim world looks to us as their savior. In fact, most Muslim countries have better relations with India than they do with Pakistan.

I am not saying for one second that we abandon Islam, but we have to realize that we will be able to do much more to defend Islam globally if we are a strong economic and cultural power. And we will never become one until we bring the mullahs under control.

 

[Farooq]

you secularist who have been running the country for 60 years don't have a great track record

 

[Developereo]

I am not saying, and neither did Jinnah, that we need to copy Western-style secularism. We need to find our own balance between secularism and an Islamic society. But, in the process, we have to make sure we respect the rights of all our citizens, including non-Muslims.

 

[Tin Man]

It hasnt exactly been secular now was it? Whatever quaid-e-azam envisioned is long forgotten.

 

[scrumpy]

Would you rather have people insult Muslims and Muhammad saw Mehru and get away with it?

Obviously not but i don't understand that how the honour of our prophet(P.B.U.H) is in danger in a Muslim majority country?

How sad! If someone insults The Beloved Prophet (Salalaho Alaihe Wasalam), there is no reaction from the likes of you secularists.

I agree there should be a law to respect all religions and it should be limited and strictly defined. The blasphemy law right now is abused to settle personal scores and being ridiculous cases against people. Remember the guy who threw a business card in the trash?

Why do people have to get on the defensive everytime some one questions their commitment to their religion?

If God is omnipresent and all powerful as you claim, then the question of protecting him/her should never arise.