News
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
No need to amend blasphemy laws: CIIISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) said on Monday that the existing blasphemy law should not be amended.
The CII also decreed that DNA test was not acceptable as primary evidence in rape cases but it could be considered as supporting evidence. Addressing a press conference Council’s Chairman Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani said although the DNA testing was a useful and modern technique for supporting evidence, but it alone could not be used as primary evidence. He said a court of law could decide in the light of the DNA test when it was used with other evidences as a supporting material.
Sherani also said the council had also rejected the Women’s Protection Act of 2006, saying its provisions were not in line with Islamic injunctions. He added that the Hadood Ordinance dealt with all these offences and that Islam sets procedures to determine rape. The CII chairman said the existing blasphemy law should not be amended, adding that the Pakistan Penal Code already has sections which dealt with sentences for those who misused any law of the land. Sherani said a judge could resort to those relevant sections to award sentences.
He said the council had unanimously decided that no member shall comment on any decision of the council’s meeting unless the matter was elaborated and explained in a press release or press briefing by the body. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk