Defending Blasphemy Laws

As much as I disagree with the blasphemy law, I do not think that criminalising the act of blasphemy is violative of any fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. And in Pakistan — repeat, in this country — I do not think it is unreasonable for the law to provide that blasphemy shall be a criminal offence. Does that mean the blasphemy law cannot, or should not, be challenged or changed? Absolutely not. The blasphemy law, as it stands today, invites abuse and serves as a terrible instrument of oppression. But what it does mean is that the change must be brought about through political means, not legal.