Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan

Pakastani Humanist laments the state of religious laws in his nation.

Photo Credit:Wikipedia

Discussions, polemics and dialogues have stirred once again over this man made God in our gifted country. For instance, Arafat Mazhar has meticulously written in his article how this blasphemy law was promulgated on the dubious petition of Advocate Ismaeel Qureshi, who blindly followed Albazzazzi’s footsteps in erroneously subverting the position of Imam Ibn Abidin. You can read Arafat Mazhar’s complete article about blasphemy laws in Pakistan here.

Obviously, these hasty blunders to appease the ruling elite and monetary financiers, ultimately creates a chain reaction of gaffes. In the absence of free inquiry, Humanism and cross examination of conventional premises, people are doomed to endure these regressive laws. I recall to my mind Francisco Goya’s painting that says; The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters (Spanish: El sueño de la razón produce monstruos).

Meanwhile, absurdity and obscurantism go sky high in these given circumstances; the supposedly judicious minds act impulsively and irrationally. Khawaja Mohammaf Sharif was Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. After retirement he acted as the defense lawyer for Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of Governor Salman Taseer. Sharif not only justified the unlawful killing of Salman Taseer, he continues to have a beard, a sign of righteousness and piety in Pakistan.

Of course, the will of the state and its probe of the judicial system is required to revisit the judicial interpretation, and rectify the erroneous conclusion of the Federal Sharia Court that was reached on the basis of dubious research.

Likewise, it would be quite appropriate to cite Dawn’s editorial http://www.dawn.com/news/1290035/anti-extremism-steps that highlights the state’s half-hearted actions against militancy and obscurantism.

Just imagine the predicament of those, who are left and trapped here, to endure all of the above without any protection.

If a system works on rationality, justice, and equality of its citizens; then we can hope for a better Pakistan. And if it continues its acquiescence to the time-tested tools of oppression like religion, bigotry and sectarianism, then there is no hope, none; those waiting for justice in jails and those enduring it outside will succumb to it. I appeal to the sage minds of the global community to engage and support Pakistan and to promote humanism and secularism in state affairs here and abroad.

Written by Rana Amjad Sattar of Humanist Society Pakistan
Edited by Wade Kaardal