Archbishop ‘assured’ blasphemy law will be reviewed
By Our Reporter
ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has said he has been assured by the government of Pakistan that the blasphemy law will be reviewed to minimise the possibility of its misuse against minorities The archbishop, who met President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and provincial governors and chief ministers during his visit, told newsmen there were indications that the government would suitably amend the law.
He said it was recognized that the law was being misused, not only against minorities, but there were also reports of its misuse by Muslims against Muslims.
He observed that a law needed to be re-examined if there was a possibility of its misuse.
“I am glad to hear that it is being looked at,” he remarked.
The archbishop said the government had renewed its commitment to provide justice to minorities.
Replying to a question, he said that as a Christian he believed that the earthquake that rattled parts of Pakistan was not the wrath of God. He said God had made the world where laws of nature take their course and sometimes affect human beings.
He stressed the need for acquiring scientific knowledge to be able to effectively deal with natural disasters. “Both Christians and Muslims are committed to use minds in the service of God,” he said.
The archbishop said that despite many tragic incidents which spoiled Christian-Muslim relations, there was a deep willingness on both sides for a lively dialogue. He said Christians and Muslims were working together to help earthquake victims in the NWFP and Azad Kashmir because it was a human tragedy.
He said misunderstandings between Muslims and Christians could be removed by both of them taking part in community development projects.
Bishop Michael Jackson, who accompanied the archbishop, said there were specific reasons for specific manifestations of terrorism.
