Pakistan blasphemy laws will not be changed, says Ishaq Dar

Islamabad: Pakistan’s blasphemy laws will not be amended, a senior minister said. Finance minister Ishaq Dar said there would be no compromise on the dignity and respect of Prophet Mohammed.

Addressing the Khatam-e-Nabuwat (finality of prophethood) conference, he said, “We can sacrifice our lives, wealth and everything we possess, for the dignity and respect of the Holy Prophet.”

He said there would be no change in the blasphemy law as Pakistan came into being in the name of Allah (God) and Prophet Mohammed.

Mr Dar said no one could deny that the Quran was the last book revealed by the God and Prophet Mohammed was the last Prophet. He said Muslims could succeed in this life and the life hereafter only by following the teachings of  Prophet Mohammed.

Ishaq Dar said the objective of Pakistan becoming a nuclear power was for the defence of the Muslim Ummah (nation) and it would play its leadership role for the progress and development of all the Islamic countries.

Five Pakistani human rights activists who went missing earlier were the latest targets of blasphemy allegations raised over the social media.

The blasphemy law, which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam or its Prophet, is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, which is more than 95 per cent Muslim.

Critics complain that Pakistan’s blasphemy law is overwhelmingly being used to persecute religious minorities and settle personal vendettas.

However, calls for changing the law have been strongly resisted by Islamic parties.