Pak hardliners call for ‘protest day’ against Pope’s statement

Pope Benedict XVI sought the repeal of the controversial statute.

Religious hardliners in Pakistan,who praised the extremist bodyguard of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer for having killed him for opposing the blasphemy law,have now trained their guns on Pope Benedict XVI,who has sought the repeal of the controversial statute.

The Tehrik Tahaffuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalat,an alliance of religious and extremist groups,has called for a countrywide “protest day” on January 14 to condemn the Pope’s statement calling for the repeal of the law.

The grouping,during a meeting held yesterday,also called on former premier Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to join hands with it to observe the protest day to show their “love for the Prophet Mohammed.”

Story continues below this ad

The Tehrik also reviewed preparations for a rally to be held in Lahore on January 30 and warned both ruling and opposition parties to shun an apologetic attitude on the blasphemy law “before their western masters” and take a clear position on “whether they stand with the people or against them” on this issue.

The alliance,which includes groups like Jamaat-ud-Dawah,Jamaat-e-Islami,Sunni Tehrik,Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan,launched a campaign to oppose any move to repeal or amend the blasphemy law after slain Governor Taseer spoke in defence of Asia Bibi,a Christian woman sentenced to death last year for allegedly insulting the Prophet Mohammed.

Taseer was gunned down in Islamabad on January 4 by his police guard,who said he was angered by the Governor’s criticism of the blasphemy law. Liberals and rights groups have called for changes in the law,which they said is often misused to persecute minorities and settle personal and political scores.

Pope Benedict also condemned the murder of Taseer and called for the release of Asia Bibi.

Story continues below this ad

Sunni Itehad Council Chairman Sahibzada Karim claimed the Pope’s statement amounted to “interference in the internal matters of Pakistan”. He demanded that the government register a protest “with the Christian world.”

The Jamaat-e-Islami organised a protest against the Pope’s statement in Lahore yesterday. Jamaat Secretary General Liaquat Baloch and a large number of the people joined the protest.

Protesters carried placards and banners in favour of the blasphemy law and Baloch condemned the Pope’s demand for repealing the law. “The Pope’s statement is an open invitation for a clash of civilisations and a bid to plunge the entire world into a deadly war,” he claimed.

The Pope’s statement “exposed the evil designs of the West against the blasphemy law and would spread a wave of hatred and anguish among Muslims all over the world,” he claimed.