Archbishop tells Pakistani President of blasphemy law danger

BY PETER GILL: In his meeting with Pakistani President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari last Friday, the Archbishop expressed particular concern over attacks in Gojra in August, in which eight Christians were killed. The violence was sparked by allegations that Christians had desecrated a copy of the Koran, a crime punishable by death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

He commended the Pakistani government for condemning the attacks and providing compensation for affected families, but urged it to take “exemplary” action against the perpetrators.

Expressing his sadness at the murder in 2007 of President Zardari’s wife, Benazir BhuttoBenazir Bhutto, he said: “I pray that her death will not be in vain and that Pakistan will emerge from the present troubles to take its place as an example of a nation in which all are safe and respected.”

Also present at the meeting was the Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali, who stepped down as Bishop of Rochester this month to focus on supporting persecuted Christians around the world. Originally from Pakistan, he was the Church of England's first Asian bishop.

During the meeting, the leaders agreed on the importance of mutual respect between religions and the responsibility of governments to ensure the safety of their citizens.

Turning to Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, the Archbishop warned that abuse of the laws and instances of criminal action against innocent people in Gojra were causing serious problems for Christians and other Pakistani citizens and that the laws should be reformed.

The President expressed an awareness of the perception about blasphemy law being exploited and spoke of a consciousness within government of the need to urgently address the issue in consultation with other political parties, civil society and religious communities.

The President also spoke of measures taken by the government to better represent minorities, including the introduction of a quota for minorities in local and national government and the appointment of a Christian as the Minister for Minorities.

The measures were welcomed by Bishop Nazir-Ali, who also commended the recent unprecedented appointment of a minority member as High Court Judge.

The suggestion by Dr Williams that further discussions take place between Christians and Muslims in the UK and Pakistan were welcomed by Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Qureshi, while President Zardari invited the Archbishop to visit Pakistan.