Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Pakistan: Man arrested in Punjab under blasphemy law

Liberals and civil society activists have demanded the repeal or amendment of the blasphemy law, which has been at the centre of a heated debate since a court in Punjab sentenced Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, to death last year.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: MSN News | PTI
By PTI | February 7, 2011

Islamabad, Feb 7 (PTI) Pakistani police have arrested a man in Punjab province under the controversial blasphemy law for allegedly tying a shoe to a flag bearing a holy symbol.

Shafique, a shopkeeper of Shamsia Colony in ''Okara city'', hoisted the flag in front of his shop and allegedly tied a shoe to it.

This act hurt the religious sentiments of some local residents and Shafique was arrested yesterday following a complaint by a man named Sabir Ali, the Dawn newspaper reported.

A case was registered against Shafique under the blasphemy law.

Liberals and civil society activists have demanded the repeal or amendment of the blasphemy law, which has been at the centre of a heated debate since a court in Punjab sentenced Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, to death last year for allegedly insulting the Prophet Mohammed.


A police guard assassinated Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, a leader of the ruling Pakistan People''s Party, saying he was angered by the politician''s opposition to the blasphemy law.

The PPP-led government has caved in to pressure from religious hardliners opposed to changes in the law and said it has no plans to amend the statute that was introduced by late military dictator Zia-ul-Haq.


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