Several clerics have issued fatwas against former Pakistani Minister Sherry Rehman and declared her an infidel for calling for changes in the blasphemy law.
According to a report by Xavier Patras William, the acting CEO of human rights organisation "Life for All", that has prompted activists to file a complaint with police in the port city of Karachi.
Media reports said the imam of Sultan Masjid, one of Karachi's biggest mosques, declared Rehman a "kaafir" (infidel) and "wajib-ul-qatl" (fit to be killed) while delivering a sermon after Friday prayers.
William said the mosque has close ties to the Saudi Arabian government.
According to William, Islamic hardliners who organised a massive rally in Karachi also published material calling Rehman a person who "has invoked the religious honour of Pakistan's Muslims" after calling for changes in the blasphemy law.
The threats came days after a police guard gunned down Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer for criticising the blasphemy law.
William said activists have filed a complaint against the imam of Sultan Masjid at the Darakhsan police station in Karachi.
The complaint was registered on behalf of Rehman, a senior leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Salmaan Taseer's son Shaan Taseer and journalist Ali Chishti.
In the complaint, William said, the activists alleged that the imam of Sultan Masjid had also praised Mumtaz Qadri, the policeman who assassinated Taseer.
Chishti told the media that activists feared for Rehman's life following the murder of the Punjab Governor.
According to William, the activists said they were proud to be Muslims but rejected murdering people in the name of Islam.
William said hardliners have been gunning for Rehman since she tabled a private bill in parliament to remove the mandatory death sentence for blasphemy.
Reports have said Rehman has been facing pressure from within the PPP to leave Pakistan for her own security.
According to William, security has been enhanced at Rehman's residence in Karachi and she has told the media she will not leave Pakistan.
-
5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV
-
Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world
-
More people are going to church than before the pandemic
-
China clamps down on foreign missionaries
-
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire
-
The Familiar Stranger – getting to know the Holy Spirit
Most Popular
News
Christians 'deeply sad' as Scottish Parliament backs assisted suicide bill
Liam McArthur's bill has passed an initial vote in the Scottish Parliament despite opposition.
Dozens of Scottish church leaders warn against legalising assisted suicide
Pastors and Christian leaders across Scotland have signed an open letter to MSPs urging them to vote against a draft bill that seeks to legalise assisted suicide.
Sequel to hit Christian movie 'I Can Only Imagine' gets new release date
The release date for the faith-based film “I Can Only Imagine 2,” the sequel to the 2018 box office hit, is moving from March 20, 2026, to Feb. 20, 2026, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have announced.
First Minister John Swinney among MSPs to vote against Scottish assisted dying bill
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has confirmed he will vote against the controversial Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, ahead of its pivotal Stage 1 vote set for Tuesday evening.