Blasphemy law could be altered to prevent misuse

Islamabad: The Pakistani government plans to change its blasphemy law to check its misuse by extremist groups, officials said yesterday.

The law, which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam or Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, which is more than 95 per cent Muslim. Previous governments have failed to reform the law because of opposition from powerful hardline Islamic groups.

Liberal and secular groups have called for the repeal of the blasphemy law altogether, which they say discriminates against religious minorities.

However, the US-allied government of President Asif Ali Zardari, which is fighting an Islamist insurgency, says it plans to reform the law instead.

"We are holding consultative meetings with representatives of minorities and political parties, as well as with Muslim clerics," Minister for Religious Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti said.

"Some elements misuse the law to create violence and disharmony in society. To stop that misuse, we are proposing legislation."

He declined to say when the government planned to propose the changes.

Convictions

Blasphemy convictions are common in Pakistan, although the death sentence has never been carried out. Most convictions are thrown out on appeal or because of lack of evidence.

However, angry mobs have killed many people, mostly members of religious minorities.

Last year, eight Christians were killed in central Punjab by a mob after blasphemy accusations. Seven of the victims were burned to death.

Religious minorities, mostly Christians, account for roughly four per cent of Pakistan's 170 million people.

Christians have long complained about the law because it offers no protection if a Muslim accuses them of violations such as tearing a page of the Quran, and many accusations are levelled to settle personal scores. Just making an accusation is usually considered sufficient evidence to register a case.

A government official said authorities were exploring ‘procedural changes' that might provide for registering a case only after an investigation and on the orders of a judge.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government may also propose that a suspect be prosecuted only if it is established that he had ‘intentionally and wilfully' committed blasphemy.

Islamic parties have opposed changes in the law because of suspicions that pro-Western, liberal groups seek to dilute Pakistan's Islamic identity.

Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rahman, a prominent cleric, said they were ready to cooperate with authorities to stop extremist groups abusing the law.