<p> A Shia man in Pakistan's Punjab province has been arrested under the controversial blasphemy law for allegedly using foul language against three Caliphs or companions of Prophet Mohammed, a charge denied by him.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Iftikhar Ali was arrested in Okara district, about 100 km from Lahore following a complaint from a local resident. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment.<br /><br />"Ali was arrested for using foul language against the three Caliphs of Islam," said a senior police official of the district.The arrested man subsequently denied the charge.<br /><br />"Since no one here dares to raise his voice against the controversial blasphemy law, it is being used to exploit minority communities or the Shia sect," said a minority legislator of the Punjab Assembly, who refused to be named because of fears of being targeted by extremists.<br /><br />The legislator told PTI that none of his colleagues in the assembly is ready to talk on issues affecting minority communities or the persecution of minorities through the misuse of the blasphemy law.</p>
<p> A Shia man in Pakistan's Punjab province has been arrested under the controversial blasphemy law for allegedly using foul language against three Caliphs or companions of Prophet Mohammed, a charge denied by him.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Iftikhar Ali was arrested in Okara district, about 100 km from Lahore following a complaint from a local resident. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment.<br /><br />"Ali was arrested for using foul language against the three Caliphs of Islam," said a senior police official of the district.The arrested man subsequently denied the charge.<br /><br />"Since no one here dares to raise his voice against the controversial blasphemy law, it is being used to exploit minority communities or the Shia sect," said a minority legislator of the Punjab Assembly, who refused to be named because of fears of being targeted by extremists.<br /><br />The legislator told PTI that none of his colleagues in the assembly is ready to talk on issues affecting minority communities or the persecution of minorities through the misuse of the blasphemy law.</p>