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Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Some would like to see a “revision,” such as the Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti. Others call for their immediate cancellation, such as the Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore and the Justice and Peace Commission. Then, there is the Conference of the Jamiat Ulema Pakistan (JUP), which also considers it "untouchable" and threatens harsh protests otherwise.
The "blasphemy law," which includes Articles 295b, 295c, 298th, 298b, and 298c of the Pakistan Penal Code and calls for imprisonment or even capital punishment for those who insult or desecrate the name of the Prophet Muhammad and the Koran, continues to cause heated debate in Pakistani society.
The issue - long raised by the Christian community - has returned to public attention after a speech by Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, who in speaking at a conference in the United States sponsored by Christian organizations like Voice of Martyrs, "Christian Solidarity Worldwide,” said he was in favor of a "revision"of the law, saying that "the government is planning to change it." "Religious reconciliation is a priority for President Asif Ali Zardari," he said, and the revision of the law is one means of achieving this goal. The minister, a Catholic, reported that "talks are under way with all political parties to produce such a revision by the end of 2010, with the goal of "abolishing discrimination against religious minorities and promoting interreligious harmony.”
The draft revision will be aimed at preventing abuse, punishing those who make false accusations is meant to give judges the power to investigate the previously reported cases, discharge the validity, before making formal charges of blasphemy.
The position taken by Bhatti has generated discontent and protests among the Christian communities in Pakistan. Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha confirmed to Fides that "Christians are calling for the abolition of the law, which is unjust and discriminatory,” recalling that the Commission for Justice and Peace has launched a public petition, asking for signatures for the withdrawal of the Law.
Even Nazir S. Bhatti, President of the Pakistan Christian Congress (PCC), said that "20 million Pakistani Christians have been constantly calling for the abolition of the blasphemy law, which is used by Muslim groups to target minorities, stating that the CPC is ready to take the case to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Also intervening in the debate is the Conference of the "Jamiat Ulema of Pakistan", representing more than 30 religious parties present in the country. The Conference said in a peremptory manner that "no one has the power to touch the blasphemy law" and warned the government that it would "launch a major protest if our legislators approve these profane plans for change."
"Muslim fundamentalist groups have always been strongly opposed to any proposed revision or withdrawal of the Law," note Fides sources in Pakistan. "So, the journey will be long and difficult." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/2/2010)
