The youngest British Muslim Councillor Raza Anjum has urged Pakistani authorities to 'uphold the rights of minority faiths' and take action against 'those who promote hate speech'.
In his official meeting with the Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti in Islamabad before returning home, Anjum who became the youngest British Muslim councillor at the age of 22 when he was elected as a Conservative party representative in Cambridge in 2007, conveyed international concern relating to the country's blasphemy laws and emphasised the need to prevent the misuse of such laws.
An international law lawyer by profession, Raza in conversation with APP pointed out the need for the authorities to control and detain those engaged in hate speeches, such as the cleric who recently promised a reward of Rs 500,000 for anyone who killed Aasia Bibi even if she is acquitted or pardoned. He said the government should take a firm line on such incidents and observed that the Pakistan Penal Code prohibits threats to the life of another.
The minister, according to Anjum, stressed that the Government of Pakistan 'will not undo the blasphemy law and that its efforts are concentrated at bringing an end to its misuse'. The blasphemy laws issue has been thrust further into the spotlight since January 4 assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, who had backed proposed reforms to the law.
The visiting councillor also held an official meeting with the leader of PML-Q Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain at his residence in Islamabad. The PML-Q chief commended him for his visit to Pakistan and his role in pushing for the protection of minority groups in the country. On the issue of the blasphemy law, Hussain stated that instead of amending the law, a new law should be introduced to avoid its misuse. He was of the view that religious parties, civil society and political leaders should jointly play their role to stop the misuse of blasphemy law.