Anti-Pope rallies held in Pakistan

Thousands of demonstrators in Pakistan have gathered in major cities to protest Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks about the country’s blasphemy law.

The demonstrators in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi chanted slogans against the recent statements made by the Pope in which he asked the death penalty to be scraped for those who insult Islamic sanctities.

“Pope Benedict’s statement is an attack on the hearts of Muslims,” read one placard carried by protesters.

In his annual address to diplomats, the Pope said the blasphemy law could be used as a pretext for acts of injustice and violence against religious minorities.

“I once more encourage the leaders of that country to take the necessary steps to abrogate that law, all the more so because it is clear that it serves as a pretext for acts of violence against religious minorities,” the Pope said on Monday.

However, his words have been slammed as interference in Pakistan’s domestic affairs.

A senior leader of the Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) said the Pope is highly respected as a Christian-leader but he must refrain from interfering in the religious affairs of others.

Pakistanis went ahead with strikes and rallies despite officials saying that the government has no intention of amending the controversial law.

Experts say the strike had more to do with politics than religion.

Demonstrators have warned that any move seeking to alter the existing blasphemy law would unleash a wave of nationwide protests.

The developments come at a time when the Islamabad government is trying to tackle the growing militancy and economic crisis in the country.