10
Activists of Jamaat-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat stage demonstration in support of their demands outside press club Lahore on Wednesday. – Online Photo
LAHORE: Religious parties have warned the Pakistan People’s Party government, especially Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, of a rigorous protest drive if they try to release the woman convicted of blasphemy.
The Aalmi Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat staged a demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club on Tuesday where participants chanted slogans against Taseer for promising to use his influence to seek presidential pardon for Asia, who was sentenced to death by a sessions court judge on blasphemy charges.
Addressing the demonstrators, Pir Afzal Qadri demanded the Supreme Court take notice of the governor’s interference into the judicial system and disqualifying him to hold the public office as, what Qadri said, Taseer had proved himself to be an enemy of the religion by declaring the blasphemy law as ‘black law’ and the verdict a “cruel judgment”.
Other speakers demanded that President Zardari should refrain from hurting feelings of the Ummah by granting pardon to the convict otherwise a protest drive would be launched against the government.
They announced observing Friday (Nov 26) as a protest day against the governor’s statement and his intention to seek relief for the convict.
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) amir Munawwar Hasan has also condemned the campaign launched by the governor and the country’s secular lobby for the release of Asia, and said the nation would foil every conspiracy to abolish the blasphemy law.
In a statement, he said any such attempt would prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the PPP government.
He said the JI would consult other political and religious parties to chalk out a joint line of action against the secular lobby’s designs.
Besides some foreign powers, the secular lobby and the foreign-funded NGOs having ‘anti-Islam’ and ‘anti-Pakistan’ agenda were pressurising the government into releasing the convict in a blatant interference in the country’s judicial system and its internal affairs, he alleged.
He said none of the human rights or women’s rights bodies had made any protest when a US court sentenced Dr Aafia Siddiqui to 86 years in jail without any proof and no ruler, including the governor, felt any sympathy for her.
However, on the conviction of Asia, Taseer promptly reached the jail to ensure “justice” to a blasphemer and even President Zardari hinted at releasing her, the JI chief lamented.
i don't know why people are supporting her and against of blasphemy law . it is a law of Pakistan if someone including Muslims say against our prophet( pbuh) should be punished .even she admitted that she did .
inshallah she will be forgiven for a crime which she hasnt commited and set free. i pray for her from the bottom of my heart. elahi ameen
just as the government took immediate action to save this girl's life, i hope they take immediate action to save beloved Aafia's life, and the life of her son Suleyman!
it is my sincerest hope, that this girl is innocent. If she is not, than I hope she recants her blasphemous statements and becomes Muslim, so that she may be released. Ameen.
"Religious Parties threaten protest in BLASPHEMY case" (WHY?)
I am sorry to see crowd of religious leaders are protesting…
Islam is PEACE and LOVE……Asia Bibi spent 15 months in jail already, and she was sentence to death…She didn't harm any one she didn't hurt any one and she didn't kill any one..She have small kids to take care and her husband look sick..As a Muslim we should show our love and set an example of peace, and let her join her family ..Kids are going thru nightmare..PLEASE LET HER GO…
God bless you all.
Ashraf Mirza (USA)
Holy Quran, the book of God clearly and explicitly prohibits taking anyone life except in self defence, therefore, how can we have a law which can award death sentence to someone who has allegedly made insulting remarks about Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
During the life Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) he was insulted, humiliated and garbage thrown at him, however, he never retaliated, instead tolerated. Why Muslims in Pakistan are not tolerant now.
These religious parties should be banned once and for all and the Quaid's vision of a Pakistani State, free from inteference by these religious fanatics will hopefully emerge.
“Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, curtails their rights, burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawood)
Yet another case of our Muslim "leaders" not having a clue about their Islam.
Are the faith, power, belief on Allah, Rasul (sas) and Quran are so week and flimsy that present day man made so called blasphemy law is required for protection ?
Our prophet never revanged any one who said bad thing about him.
This case is another example of self serving agendas and a very poor and corrupt judial system.It is dangerous for the country having so many ignorant and intolerant peoplle.