PM Nawaz condemns blasphemous sketches by French journal

(ATimes) ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday strongly condemned the publication of blasphemous sketches in a French journal and said international community should discourage it.

Freedom of speech should not be used to hurt religious sentiments of any community, the Prime Minister said in a statement issued by his office.

He said publication of provocative material should be discouraged by the international community.

APP

Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder trial transferred to military court

(ATimes) Police on Thursday said they have asked that the high-profile trial for the murder of a former minority minister be moved to a newly formed military court. Catholic Shahbaz Bhatti was gunned down in Islamabad in March 2011 for demanding that controversial blasphemy law be reformed.

The murder trial has, however, been hampered by threats from extremists. Police hope that hearing the case in a closed military court will speed up the process and reduce interference from radicals.

“We have sent an official request to the Interior ministry to carry out the murder trial of Shahbaz Bhatti in a military court,” a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Another police official confirmed the move, adding that the police have been directed to send all terror-related cases to be heard by military courts.

Interior ministry will now have to give approval before the case can be transferred.

Paul Bhatti, brother of the former minority minister, was forced to flee the country last year after receiving threats from extremists for pursuing the case.

The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) said threatening pamphlets were also found in the office of a key witness.

AFP

Lyari grenade attacks claim two cops’ lives

(ATimes/PK)KARACHI: As many as three people lost their lives including two policemen in two separate hand grenade attacks in Baghdadi area of Lyari Town here on Monday.

According to the reports, five others also sustained wounds in the attacks after which shops and businesses were closed down in the neighbourhood.  Meanwhile, the police cordoned off the area.

The deceased and wounded were taken to a nearby hospital.