Pakistani ulema in their Friday sermons strongly condemned the recent lynching of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot and said the killing of any person over unsubstantiated blasphemy accusations is not permissible.

The ‘day of condemnation’ was observed in mosques across the country on Friday.

According to the ulema, the courts have the authority to punish the perpetrator of blasphemy. Taking the law into one’s hands is not allowed according to Shariah and law of the land.

RELATED STORIES

Special Representative of the Prime Minister on Reli­gious Harmony Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said the lynching of the Sri Lankan national had embarrassed the entire nation. Elements involved in making blasphemy allegations for their vested objectives would also be punished under the blasphemy law, he added.