Publishing Quranic verses and translation of the same is an offense, NA told

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The Ministry of Information has informed the National Assembly (NA) that publishing Quranic verses and translation of the same in newspapers is a violation of law and an offence related to the “defiling of Holy Quran”.

MQM MNA Sheikh Salahuddin's question regarding the publication of verses by daily newspapers and had put forward two questions in the regard:

Whether publication of Quranic verses in daily newspapers causes the desecration of the Holy Quran?

If so, what are the steps being taken by the government in this regard?

“It is true that newspapers are publishing verses and translation of the Holy Quran for information and education of their readers. This is highly deplorable and a violation of an existing law,” the ministry said in a written reply.

The ministry added that Section 295-B of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) stipulates life imprisonment for an offender who willfully defiles a copy or portion of the Holy Quran.