PAKISTAN NEEDS COURSE CORRECTION
ZEESHAN RASOOL KHAN History is rife with instances of blasphemy that were aimed at disrespecting Islam, its founder, and other holy personalities. Through statements, drawing cartoons, and writing books, anti-Islamists have always attempted to demonize Islam and there is no end in sight to this mindless exercise. To counter such acts within its country, the State of Pakistan with approximately 96% Muslims introduced anti-blasphemy laws in its constitution. Historically, the blasphemy laws were enacted by British colonial authorities and Pakistan continued these after its creation. With the purpose to ‘Islamicise’ Pakistan, as is believed, General Zia-ul-Haq supervised the addition of many clauses to these laws and made them stringent. The religious scholars and a large section of society support these laws and consider them as derivatives of Quranic ordains. These laws meant to rein in blasphemy, however, have always been on the radar of Human Right Organizations and analysts, and