Pak Govt may review blasphemy law to stop its abuse

Islamabad, Aug 13 (ANI): The Pakistan Government may review the blasphemy law to prevent its abuse following the recent violence against the Christian community in Gojra.

"After the completion of an inquiry report into the incident and subject to its recommendations, the government will take appropriate measures to prevent future flare-ups of communal carnage," State Minister for Interior Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi said.

Condemning the Gojra incident, he said the Pakistan People's Party had always worked for the welfare of minorities.

Qureshi said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had recently announced enhancing the quota in government departments jobs for minorities, planned to increase the number of minority seats in the national and provincial assemblies, declared August 11 "Minority Day" and decided to allocate minorities' seats in the Senate for the first time.

Qureshi said the government was investigating the violence in Gojra in a transparent manner, including the possible role of banned religious organisations in rioting.

Calling the Swat military operation a success, the Daily Times quoted him as saying that the country had been able to overcome extremism and terrorism.

He said his visits to Norway, France and the United Kingdom helped him gain first-hand knowledge of the problems being faced by overseas Pakistanis. (ANI)