JUP threatens Sherry Rehman; to observe protest on 3rd

Wednesday, December 01, 2010 Zilhajj 24, 1431 A.H.

JUP threatens Sherry Rehman; to observe protest on 3rd

Wednesday, December 01, 2010
By Our Correspondent

Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan has announced to stage protest demonstrations across the country on December 3 against the bid to repeal blasphemy law and in this connection a forum - Tahfuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalt - headed by Sahibzada Abul Khair has been formed to monitor the situation with special reference to protecting the blasphemy law.

The announcement was made at an all parties conference (APC) held on Tuesday under the auspices of Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan with Sahibzada Abul Khair in the chair. Others who attended the meeting included Syed Munawar Hasan, Ameer Jamat-e-Islami; Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, General Secretary JUI(F); Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, President Tanzeem-ul-Madaris Ahle Sunnat; Pir Mian Abdul Khaliq of Bhar Chowndi and PML leaders.

The APC resolved that any change in the blasphemy law would not be accepted and PPP MNA Sherry Rehman was particularly warned that if she tried to amend the laws the people of the country would besiege her.

The APC demanded of the government to avoid repealing blasphemy law and the punishment given under section 295-C should not be amended.

The meeting also demanded that PPP should explain its position on the private bills that were formulated by Ms Rehman and condemned Asma Jehangir and other NGOs for their campaign to amend the Islamic law “on the behest of the West”.

It also demanded for suspending all the powers of the President with regard to pardoning the punishment given under blasphemy law and condemned Governor Punjab Salman Taseer for extending “unnecessary” support to Asiya Bibi, saying, if she had any reservations she should appeal in court.

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/01-12-2010/karachi/18159.htm

Pakistan: Rally warns against amendments to Blasphemy Law

---The News (Internet Edition), Pakistan

Monday, October 12, 2009,

Shawwal ul Mukkarram 22, 1430 A.H

Rally warns against amendments to Blasphemy Law

By our correspondent

Karachi

The government was warned by speakers a protest rally held on Sunday that any change in the Namoos-e-Risalat Act (Blasphemy Law) would be dealt with appropriately and the entire nation would march towards Islamabad and demand the immediate sacking of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer.

In this connection, they said that an Ulema Mashaikh conference was being convened which would draw up the future course of action.

The “Tahfuz-e-Namoos-e-Risalt” rally, organised by the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) started at the Noorani Chowk and culminated at Tibet Centre, and was led by its President Sahibzada Abul Khair, Chairman Tanzeemat-ul-Madaris Mufti Muneeb, Chairman Supreme Council, JUP, Mufti Jamil, and Ovais Noorani.

The entire route of the rally was heavily guarded by the police and Rangers, while roads leading towards the rally were barricaded with tankers and police vans.

The participants of the rally carried portraits of Allama Shah Ahmed Noorani and green flags with the Kalma inscribed on them, and raised slogans warning that any amendments to the Blasphemy Act were not acceptable.

Various resolutions were adopted on the occasion demanding of the government of Pakistan to immediately remove the Punjab Governor as well as Pakistan’s Ambassador to United States as they were playing into the hands of anti-Islam forces.

They rejected the repeal of the Qisas Law (elimination of death sentence). “It is a Quranic Law and any change amounts to defying Islam and a defiant person is condemned to the death penalty in Islamic law,” they said.

The participants vehemently rejected the Kerry-Lugar Bill, adding that persons who attacked the General Headquarters (GHQ) be brought to book and stern action be taken against them.

The speakers vehemently condemned the Punjab Governor, Salman Taseer, and demanded of the government to immediately remove him or else the people would force him to go back. They aired the same sentiments for Pakistan’s Ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani, who, they said, had become more loyal to his US masters, and sarcastically referred to him as “His Master’s Voice”.

The speakers also saluted the armed forces role for criticising the Kerry-Lugar Bill and not following the precedent set by their predecessors who used to roll back the democratic government. In this relation, they extended support to the armed forces.

Anas Noorani, Chairman World Islamic Mission, stated that the US, through the Kerry-Lugar Bill wanted control the internal affairs of the country, capping of Nuclear programme of Pakistan, abolishing the death sentence, and effecting amendments to the Namoos-e-Risalt Bill, which, he said, is not acceptable.

The participants also condemned the Parliament and specifically the lady Speaker of the National Assembly who sent Namoos-e-Risalat Act to the standing committee for revision. —SB

URL: www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=202813