Prayer leaders across Pakistan, during Friday sermons, gave vent to their anger against Rehman who had deposited a private members’ bill before the National Assembly seeking an amendment to the blasphemy law.
The ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) did not support the bill and Rehman was forced to withdraw it.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik also advised Rehman, a former journalist, to leave the country for her own safety. Malik told her on phone to leave the country at the earliest because “fanatics are hell bent to take her life due to her views on blasphemy laws.”
Malik cited intelligence reports that extremists were after her and advised her to go abroad for the time being. Rehman, however, refused to leave the country. She told Malik that she would not be attending the National Assembly session due to inadequate security in the federal capital. She also told Malik that she felt more secure in Karachi than in Islamabad.
Pakistani authorities increased security for the former minister, a vocal critic of the country’s blasphemy law, in the wake of the assassination of Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer for opposing the controversial law.
The number of policemen deputed to guard Rehman’s home in Karachi was increased. Security cover for Rehman was also upgraded on the order of the Karachi police chief, officials said. Other then her initiative to “reform” the blasphemy law, religious scholars accuse her of being a smoker.
