“No one should think of finishing Blasphemy Law in my presence”: Pak Law Minister

ISLAMABAD - In the wake of human rights organisations calling for doing away with Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law, Law Minister Babar Awan has categorically said no one should think of repealing this law.

“In my presence as the Law Minister, no one should think of finishing this law,” The News quoted Awan, as saying, while talking to a senior member of the Jang Group on Thursday.

The minister came out with these unequivocal remarks at a time when the entire country is debating over blasphemy, after a Christian woman- Aasia Bibi- was sentenced to death in Pakistan on charges of insulting Prophet Muhammad and the Holy Quran.

The categorical stance by Awan, arguably one of the closest aides of President Asif Ali Zardari, is in direct contradiction to that taken by Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer, who while being critical of the same law is all out to secure the release of Aasia.

While appreciating the comment that any effort to amend or repeal the Blasphemy Law would lead to chaos, Awan emphasised no one would be allowed to change or repeal the law in his presence as the law minister.

“In order to remove ambiguity pl (please) also write 2moro (tomorrow) that I told U (The Jang Group) (that) in my presence as Law Minister no one should think of finishing this law,” Awan precisely said in his written statement. (ANI)