TLP leader arrested for issuing death threats to CJ

LAHORE: Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Vice Emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah has been arrested after being booked for inciting violence against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, sources told Geo News on Monday. The accused was arrested from Okara.

The case against 1,500 TLP workers, including Zaheer ul Hasan, was filed on behalf of Qila Gujjar Singh Police Station SHO Hamad Hussain for issuing death threats to CJP Isa. The case includes provisions of the anti-terrorism act, religious hatred, sedition, suppression of judiciary, intimidation of high judiciary, interference with government and obstruction of legal duties.

The complainant stated that Zaheer ul Hasan spread hatred against the higher judiciary by protesting outside the Lahore Press Club. The TLP leader was booked for his speech during a demonstration against the SC verdict in the Mubarak Sani case.

It is to be noted that apart from TLP, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUIS ), Mili Yakjehti Council Pakistan (MYC) and Wafaqul Madaris-ul-Arabiya (WMA) have also voiced their opposition to the apex court’s verdict in the said case.

The opposition comes despite the clarification issued by the apex court on Friday which said that the court’s verdict clearly states that no one can be a Muslim without having faith in the finality of prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Earlier in the day, the federal government announced that it won’t allow malicious propaganda against the CJP and will take strict action against those responsible for it. “The state will not allow anyone to issue a fatwa calling for someone’s murder,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in a press conference in Islamabad.

Flanked by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, the defence minister said that an attempt is being made to use religion for bloodshed for vested political interests. “The law will take its course against the elements behind the provocative and baseless propaganda campaign against the CJP,” said Asif.

He said that believing in the finality of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is part of our faith. He said that the Supreme Court has already clarified its position on the matter.

“There has been malicious propaganda about the chief justice and he has been targeted for a long time,” said the minister. He said that an attempt is being made to silence a voice which has set a tradition of speaking truth, reiterating that the law will take its course.

Asif further said that the state will now take action because CJP Isa has been targeted for a long time, adding that baseless accusations cannot be made against someone. “There should be supremacy of Constitution in the country and justice should prevail. [The state] will not accept dictation aimed towards securing personal interests in the name of politics,” he added.

The defence minister claimed that campaigns are launched against CJP Isa if a verdict is announced in someone’s favour. “This trend should end,” he maintained. He stressed that the state cannot allow anyone to issue a fatwa to kill someone.

Meanwhile, terming the threats to the CJP as a “rebellion” against the country’s Constitution, Planning Minister Iqbal said that no group is allowed to issue fatwas to kill someone. Recalling his own 2018 assassination attempt, Iqbal lamented that PMLN leaders have often been targeted under the guise of religion for political agendas and said that no one would be allowed to use religion for inciting violence.

“Legal action will be taken against the person issuing threats [to CJP],” he remarked. He emphasised that no Muslim needs a certificate from any individual or group to get a certificate of his/her faith in Khatm-e-Nabuwwat.

He said that only courts have the right to punish or reward, no one else can decree murder. He said that if this right is given to Ulema then every school of religious thought could give its own verdict.

The minister said that Pakistan Ulema also condemned this issue jointly. The minister also highlighted the need for unity and refraining from creating anarchy in the society.

Meanwhile, in a press conference after attending a meeting with Ulema in the commissioner office, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that the state would respond to the malicious campaign against the CJP and no one would be allowed to decree religious notions against anyone.

The minister said that the state would shield against spreading hate in the country. It is the responsibility of the state to impose laws in the country, he said, adding that belief in the finality of the Prophet (SAW) remained an essential part of Islam without which no one could claim to be a Muslim.

Tarar said that Ulema had laid down many sacrifices in Pakistan. He highlighted that the father of the CJP was a close ally of the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and played an important role in affiliating Balochistan province with Pakistan, adding no space could be given to any those making unauthentic claims. He said the campaign against the CJP was a political move which would not be allowed. He termed the attempts to malign CJP against law, morality and religion.

He said that Pakistan has condemned the Gaza massacre and voiced justice for the victims. PMLN MNA Hanif Abbassi on the occasion said that Pakistan had a history of the pivotal role played by the youth regarding Khatam-e-Nabuwwat.

He said, “Respect and love for the Prophet (SAW) being part of our faith, did not require any degree and no one could be permitted to issue ‘fatwa’ against anyone. He thanked the prominent Ulema and the members of the Interfaith Harmony committee for their support in this regard.

Separately, speaking to the media, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said that we should all condemn the culture of creating a state within the state and issuing fatwas.

He said that no one has the right to issue a fatwa of killing related to a court decision. The minister said that the state will not allow anyone to speak whatever comes to his mind, adding that there will be no compromise on this issue.

He said that those who take the law into their hands would be severely dealt with. He said that content should be included in the education curriculum to end intolerance in the society. He said that CJP Isa is a person of good name and principles. He said that no transgression is allowed under the guise of human rights or freedom of opinion.