ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information on Monday informed the National Assembly that publishing Quranic verses and translation of the same in newspapers is a violation of law and an offense related to “defiling of Holy Quran”.

The statement by the ministry was in reply to MQM MNA Sheikh Salahuddin' question regarding the publication of verses by daily newspapers.

“It is true that newspapers are publishing verses and translation of the Holy Quran for information and education of their readers. This is highly deplorable and a violation of an existing law,” the ministry said in a written reply.

The MNA had put forward two questions in the regard:

• Whether publication of Quranic verses in daily newspapers causes desecration of the Holy Quran?
• If so, what are the steps being taken by the government in this regard?

The ministry added that Section 295-B of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) stipulates life imprisonment for an offender who willfully defiles a copy or portion of the Holy Quran.

“Whoever willfully defiles damages or desecrates a copy of the Holy Quran or of extract therefrom or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful purpose shall be punishable with imprisonment for life.” — Section 295-B, Pakistan Penal Code.

The Press Information Department (PID) on the request of Ministry of Religious Affairs had written a letter to the President of All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS) Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) and Chairman Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), requesting them to ensure observance of reverence of the verses of Holy Quran, the NA was informed.

“PID also sent a reminder, requesting all concerned media representative bodies to instruct all their member publications to avoid publication of sacred materials and to observe and preserve sanctity of the Holy texts in the newspapers,” the ministry said.