Pakistanis hold rally over blasphemy law

Thousands of angry demonstrators have taken to the streets across Pakistan to protest against moves to amend the country’s blasphemy law — despite government assurances that the law will remain intact.

The fresh rally in the Garrison City of Rawalpindi comes after the powerful governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed because of his opposition to controversial blasphemy laws, a Press TV correspondent reported on Friday.

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

They also warned government of serious repercussions if Taseer’s assassin, Mumtaz Qadri, is sentenced to death for murder. The assassin has been declared a hero by certain groups.

Taseer was a high-profile member of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and a close ally of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The fresh protests went ahead though officials said the government had no intention to amend or repeal the controversial law.

The demonstrators also chanted slogans against the recent statements made by the Pope Benedict XVI in which he asked the death penalty to be scraped for those who insult Islamic sanctities.

The Islamabad government says some political groups were misusing this law against minorities.

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

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

The row over blasphemy law is expected to further add to instability in the country.