Muslim scholars to look into abuse of blasphemy law in Pak

Karachi, Jan 15 (PTI) A group of Muslim religiousscholars in Pakistan have said they would form a committee tolook into the misuse of the controversial blasphemy law, amidaccusations that it was being used to settle rivalries.

The group comprising 10 members from different sectsand ideologies met Interior Minister Rehman Malik in Karachitoday.

Following the meeting, they announced that they wouldform a committee to look into the issue of misuse of theblasphemy law.

The group spearhead, Haji Hanif Tayyab, a BarelviMuslim leader said the purpose was to address concerns aboutmisuse of the law.

Civil and human rights activists have said that theblasphemy law is often used to settle rivalries or persecutereligious minorities.

The law came under debate after a Christian woman wassentenced to death after being convicted under the law forinsulting Prophet Mohammad.

Amendments were proposed to the law to prevent it frombeing misused.

Former Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, who was a vocalproponent for changes in the controversial law, was killedrecently by his security guard, who said he was upset by theformer''s statements.

Around 40,000 people, on the call of religious groups,demonstrated in Karachi last week against amendments in theblasphemy law with some of them hailing Qadri as a hero ofIslam.