Clerics from Muslimabad area of Lahore have declared Samina Khalid Ghurki (President Pakistan People’s Party Lahore Wing) and one of her supporters as blasphemers.
The clerics protested against Samina and her supporter Haji Nasir outside the Lahore Press Club on Sunday for supporting a Shia cleric, Zulfiqar Naqvi, who had allegedly blasphemed against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during a sermon he delivered at the local Imambargah on the request of Haji Nasir.
The clerics believe that despite repeated attempts, local police authorities were not taking action against the accused Naqvi and Haji Nasir as they have the support of Samina Ghurki. Samina said she had nothing to do with the allegations being leveled against her and that she was willing to talk to all parties concerned to resolve the issue.
The protestors also praised Mumtaz Qadri for assassinating Punjab Governor, Salmaan Taseer and urged all Muslims to follow in his footsteps. The clerics demanded cases to be registered against Samina, Haji Nasir and Naqvi under the blasphemy law (Daily Times).
July 5: Blasphemy accused in Karachi seeks Government protection
Noel Gulzar, a Christian, claimed religious extremists were issuing threats to kill him over a matter of alleged blasphemy. He demanded that the government provide protection from those issuing threats against his life.
He said he had already informed various government officials but had gotten no response. He specifically informed the SHO PIB Colony, Governer Sindh, Chief Minister Sindh, IG Police and CCPO Karachi.
Chairman Standing Committee on Minorities Affairs and Pakistan People’s Party MPA Saleem Khursheed Khokhar confirmed Gulzar had contacted him about the matter. He said: “It is the badness of our society that some opportunists are using religion for their wasted interests and a common man is facing trouble.” (Daily Times)
via July 4 – 10.
