Draconian blasphemy laws haunts Pakistan

His father was shot dead by his Islamist bodyguard because he asked for amendments to draconian blasphemy laws of Pakistan. Now Shaan Taseer is facing blasphemy charges. His “crime” was he asked for prayers for victims of the law.

To honour his father on his sixth death anniversary, the slain governor’s son, Shaan Taseer, posted a video on Facebook wherein he spoke about what his father taught him and called for equal rights for all Pakistanis, regardless of their faith.

“We live in a society which oppresses its weakest section and where no Ahmadi, Shia and Christian can live their lives according to their wishes,” he said.

He continued, “This year Pakistan will become 70 years old and this is the country which was constituted to safeguard the lives and interests of the Muslim minority of the South Asia.”

“Today, being a nation, let’s commit ourselves to treat every Pakistani equally whether they are Shia, Sunni, Ahmadi or Christian… One nation, one blood, one Pakistan… Pakistan for all… Long live Pakistan!” he concluded.

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Christian Governor of Jakarta faces blasphemy charges

Two years ago, amid protests from hardline Islamic groups, he was sworn in as only the second Christian Governor of  Jakarta, the capital territory of world’s most populous Muslim country, Indonesia.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known by his nickname “Ahok”,  is not only Christian by faith but also ethnically Chinese. He was not directly elected then. He was  the deputy to the then Governor Joko Widodo. When Widodo was elected national President he automatically became Jakarta’s Governor.

Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)

Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)

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