Pak’s blasphemy law is not God-given, but man-made: Salmaan Taseer

LAHORE - Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer has said Pakistan’s Blasphemy Law is man-made and not God-given, and that his meeting with blasphemy accused Pak-Christian woman- Aasia Bibi- is being politicised, a private TV channel reported.

During an interview with the channel, Taseer said no Muslim could even imagine blasphemy, and added that the issue important for him was reviewing the Blasphemy Law.

“Even now, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan, Nilofer Bakhtiar, Sherry Rehman and others have talked about bringing a change in this law,” the Daily Times quoted him, as saying.

He had conducted a complete investigation of the matter, reaching the decision that the law was used against Aasia, said Taseer, adding that he did not want to further comment on the issue, as it would be dealt in the high court.

The governor said that in his opinion, blasphemy itself was an offence, but to misuse it by falsely accusing someone was a greater offence.

Meanwhile, Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Thursday, and presented a comprehensive report on the case of Aasia, who was convicted and sentenced to death under sections 295 B and C of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The report, accompanied with supporting documents, concluded that the blasphemy case against Aasia had been registered on grounds of personal enmity and the story narrated in the first information report was concocted and malafide.

The report recommended pardoning Aasia and the suspension of the sentence. It also recommended providing security to her, while in jail, and also to her family. (ANI)