Riphah International University organized a roundtable conference titled Rights of Minorities and the Constitution of Pakistan, focusing on blasphemy law and its implementation in the country.

The seminar was attended by students, members of civil society and government officials. Sajjad Qamar, J. Salik (Former Federal Minister for Minorities), Prof. Mushtaq Ahmed from Islamic International University, Mr. Hafiz Tayyeb (PhD Scholar in Sharia Law were among those who attended the conference.

Dr. Rashid Aftab, initiated the dialogue by talking about the ongoing discussion on the country’s blasphemy law. He emphasised that this law must be implemented with care.

Hafiz Tayyeb, a PhD scholar of Sharia Law from FAST said that according to universal values of Islam, every human being has the right to live his or her life according to their own beliefs and religion. He said that Sharia law has five constitutes including protection and perseverance of human life, next generation, intellect and property and belongings.

J. Salik demanded that minorities are nationalists and their minister should be restored. “Charter of Madina should be incorporated as a part of syllabus,” he added.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014