ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Bar Council vice chairman Abid Saqi on Saturday condemned the accusations of blasphemy levelled by some religious circles against Dr Arfana Mallah, a professor at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro.

In a statement, Mr Saqi called upon the government to take stern action against those hurling such accusations against the professor.

He asked the government to ensure protection of life of Dr Mallah against serious threats issued by extremist forces who were bent upon creating social disorder in the country. He said Dr Mallah is an eminent academic and feminist activist who has spent her entire life working not only for women’s rights but also for social justice for all.

She had only criticised the misuse and exploitation of blasphemy law by extremists, he added. Criti­cising misapplication or misuse of the law regarding blasphemy did not amount to blasphemy itself, the vice chairman emphasised.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2020