Pope calls for repeal of blasphemy laws in Pakistan

THE killer of a liberal Pakistani politician provided a judge yesterday with the names of two men whose sermons allegedly sparked him to act.

The slaying of Punjab province governor Salman Taseer nearly a week ago shocked many around the world, but tens of thousands of Pakistanis have expressed support for 26-year-old Mumtaz Qadri, who said he killed the governor for criticising laws that carry the death penalty for insulting Islam.

That support, and the lack of criticism of the assassination by many politicians, shows the increasing influence of hardline Islamist ideology in Pakistan, a key ally in Washington’s war against the Taliban and al-Qaida.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke against Pakistan’s blasphemy laws yesterday, saying they should be repealed as they were used as a pretext for violence against non-Muslims.

“I once more encourage the leaders of that country (Pakistan) to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law,” said the Pope. “The tragic murder of the governor of Punjab shows the urgent need to make progress in this direction. The worship of God furthers fraternity and love, not hatred and division.”

Human rights activists have also said Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are used to settle rivalries and persecute religious minorities.

Governor Taseer had called them “black” laws, but he wasn’t demanding they be repealed. Instead, he wanted them reformed so they wouldn’t be misused. Taseer became energised by the case of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who he said was wrongly sentenced to death for insulting Islam’s prophet, Muhammad.

The Pope also called for her release.

Qadri told a judge yesterday in written testimony that he decided to kill Taseer after he attended a gathering on December 31 organised by Shahab-e-Islam, a small Islamist group that operated in his neighbourhood in Rawalpindi, just outside the capital, Islamabad. He said speeches given by a cleric leading the group, Qari Hanif, and another member, Ishtiaq Shah, played a major role in his decision. Police say they are now seeking the two men for questioning.

Police decided to present Qadri before the judge a day before he was scheduled to appear to avoid attracting the crowds of supporters who, in his previous appearances, showered him with rose petals and kissed his cheek.