Rejecting US' criticism that Pakistan imposed limits on religious freedom, President Pervez Musharraf today called for modification of the country's blasphemy law to prevent victimisation of minorities.
Reacting to a US State Department report stating that Pakistan imposed limits on the freedom of religion of minorities, Musharraf told an inter-religious gathering "It is unfortunate. I reject it." "I feel may be the basis of the report is the blasphemy law, because it is state law. Blasphemy law exists in many many countries of the West. Without saying much on it I would like to say that we must examine this law and we must make sure that it is amended to the extent to that we guarantee to our minorities that they will not be victimised," he said.
"But at the same time it (the report) calls for introspection. Why is Pakistan considered as a country with state hostility towards minorities. Let us see the reality." "I say this with full conviction that it is our misfortune that while our reality on ground is good, the perception is bad. There are countries where reality is bad but the perception happens to good. It is unfortunate." He said reason for such a perception about Pakistan was the blasphemy law brought in by previous military ruler, Zia-ul Haq.
Musharraf has criticised the blasphemy law a number of times in the past but he never pressed for its repeal saying that it is for the Parliament to change it.