Religious intolerance - Pakistan is out of step

PAKISTAN’S blasphemy laws have been used to incite hatred, perpetuate ignorance, provoke intolerance and instigate the violence that has cost hundreds if not thousands of lives.

The country’s blasphemy laws, which carry a death sentence for insulting Islam, were rightly criticised by Pope Benedict yesterday.

In an specially pointed speech the Pontiff reiterated that religious freedom was a fundamental human right that must be protected in law and in practice.

He pointed too to attacks on Christians trying to attend religious ceremonies in Egypt.

Christianity and Islam have sometimes found it difficult to be good and tolerant neighbours and this law suggest that Pakistan is not interested in being part of a civilised world. It must be repealed.