Media for Human Rights
Human Rights for Media

* Activists say they cannot be deterred from their resolve against existing blasphemy laws but fear that unnecessary pressure from West may cause further violence in society

By Afnan Khan

www.dailytimes.com.pk

LAHORE: Close aides of late federal minister for minorities affairs Shahbaz Bhatti and rights activists have stated that a judicial inquiry was essential over his murder, as sympathisers of extremists were trying to detract the investigation in order to protect the culprits. 

All Pakistan Minorities Alliance Coordinator Khalid Gill, Member of National Assembly from Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Michael Javed and PPP minority wing leader Napolean Qayoom told Daily Times that Bhatti sacrificed his life in a struggle to win rights for the down-trodden people of the country and for better living conditions for all Pakistanis. 

Reacting on the US congressional resolution introduced by Congressman, Trent Franks and co-sponsored by eight others to press Pakistani government to repeal the blasphemy law, the minority leaders thanked the US congressmen for showing concern over their plight while urging them not to talk about pressurising the government as it will hurt the struggle of minorities in the country while making the extremists stronger.

They further added that the minorities could not be deterred from their resolve against blasphemy law but unnecessary pressure from West might create further violence in society. 

They further added that the family members and associates of Shahbaz Bhatti were still demanding judicial inquiry over his assassination by the judges of high court as they believed that sympathisers of extremists were trying to divert the focus of investigation to other things in order to protect the culprits. 

They said that media reports have already revealed that members of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who were blamed for recent terrorist attack in Faisalabad, have already confessed that they were involved in the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti. 

They were of the view that the Pakistanis and the whole world was paying tribute to the martyrs and they were expecting a fare investigation of the case in order to put the culprits to the task. 

The resolution by US congressmen had expressed condolences for the murder of former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti.

Sent to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for necessary action, the resolution reportedly calls for a Taseer-Bhatti Resolution in the UN Human Rights Council honouring their courage in defence of core principles of Pakistan’s democracy, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly the freedom of religion.