Human Right Standing Committee recommends review not repeal of Blasphemy law.

Islamabad: September 2, 2009. (PCP) The Human Right Standing Committee of National Assembly of Pakistan have issued report of findings of Gojra incident where Christians were burnt alive and properties were set on fire on August 1, 2009.

Standing Committee by passes demand of Christians to repeal blasphemy law and recommends government of Pakistan for procedural amendments in law which is targeting Christians in Pakistan.

The findings of Committee are horrified by admitting denial by Punjab Constabulary to protect Christians when police failed to stop militants to set Christians on fire. The Punjab Constabulary is special force in Punjab to support police in situation of law and order but Muslim employees in this force refused to obey orders.

The Committee also admitted involvement of one banned religious outfit in attack on Christians and recommended Intelligence Bureau IB to hold enquires.

Human Rights Ministry Secretary Farid Khan told Committee chairman PML-Q member Riaz Fatiyana that the Gojra incident reflected “a complete failure of our system.”

The Daily Times quoted Punjab Human Rights Minister Kamran Michael as saying that the government should review the blasphemy law.

He said the law should also be used against those who levelled baseless allegations against others.

PML-N leader Javed Hashmi seconded Michael’s views, and said he regretted that people were languishing in jails for the last eight to ten years under the blasphemy law.

Fatiyana said the killings were a failure on the part of administration and intelligence agencies. He urged the government to take measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The report issued here today by Standing Committee have not satisfied Pakistani Christian who were expecting repeal of blasphemy law.

The Christian are of opinion that procedural amendment in blasphemy law will not be effective to stop violence against them.

Pakistan Christian Post