RAWALPINDI, Nov 8: Followers of Ahl-i-Sunnat school of thought have urged the government to withdraw the amendments made to Blasphemy Act 295/C.

Central leaders of Aalmi Tanzeem Ahl-i-Sunnat, at a press conference held at the Rawalpindi Press Club, warned the government that activists of the organization would stage a protest demonstration outside the Parliament House during the next National Assembly session, if the amendments to the act were not abolished forthwith.

They said a memorandum would also be presented to the parliamentarians, adding that they would not desist from any sacrifice in this regard.

The organization's central chief, Pir Mohammad Afzal Qadri, and nazim Sahibzada Mohammad Ziaullah Qadri said the government had made amendments to the blasphemy law according to which a case could be registered against an accused only after investigation by district police officer.

They were of the view that this step had been taken in order to please "America, Jews, Christians and Qadianis".

The amendments, they said, would render the law ineffective and it would be on the discretion of the government whether or not to register case against the accused. The accused have been provided with an opportunity to escape arrest and punishment, they added.

The organization's office-bearers asked Ulema and the people to put pressure on the government to do away with the amendments.