ISLAMBAD: As the country remains torn over minority persecution in the name of blasphemy, Islamic groups including Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) and Khatm-e-Nabuwwat, in an unprecedented and surprising move, came out on Monday and publicly denunciated the arrest of a young girl for allegedly burning a Noorani Quaida, reports guardian.co.uk.
The All Pakistan Ulema Council (APUC) and Pakistan Interfaith League, which comprises minority religions in the country, were also among those who came out in support of Rimsha, demanding punishment for those who had made these false accusations.
Tahir Ashrafi, chairman of the the APUC and part of the DPC leadership, condemned the demands of mobs who pressurise police regularly for registering blasphemy charges, adding that this was pushing law and order in Pakistan towards the “law of the jungle”.
“We see Rimsha as a test case for Pakistan’s Muslims, Pakistan’s minorities and for the government,” Ashrafi said. “We don’t want to see injustice done with anyone. We will work to end this climate of fear.”
While Rimsha is held in a maximum security prison which, according to her counsel, is deeply traumatic for her, the report of a medical examination for attesting her mental condition and age is expected to be presented in court today (Tuesday). The report may shed light on and pave the way for the verdict in the girl’s case.
Categories: Asia, Behaviour, Church, Human Rights, Pakistan