OKARA: Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Vice Emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah was arrested on Monday in Okara after being accused of inciting violence against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. This arrest follows a case lodged against him for delivering an inflammatory speech during a protest rally.
The Charges and the Context
The protest, held outside the Lahore Press Club, was in response to the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Mubarak Sani case. In February 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that Ahmadis, while officially declared non-Muslims, still retain the right to practice and promote their religion. This verdict sparked significant opposition from various religious groups, including TLP, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S), Milli Yakjehti Council Pakistan (MYC), and Wafaqul Madaris-ul-Arabiya (WMA).
The FIR and Legal Actions
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed in Lahore’s Qila Gujjar Singh police station by Station House Officer (SHO) Hammad Hussain. The FIR includes charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act, provisions related to spreading religious hatred and anarchy, threatening the judiciary, and interfering with state affairs. Alongside Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah, 1,500 TLP workers were also booked for issuing death threats to the Chief Justice.
Government’s Firm Stance
In response to the incident, the federal government declared it would not tolerate malicious propaganda against CJP Qazi Faez Isa. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, alongside Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized in a press conference that the state will take strict action against those responsible for inciting violence.
Statements from Government Officials
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated, “The state will not permit anyone to issue a fatwa calling for someone’s murder.” He condemned the ongoing malicious propaganda targeting the Chief Justice, which he described as an attempt to use religion for political purposes. Asif underscored the importance of upholding the Constitution and ensuring justice prevails, stressing that personal interests should not dictate political actions.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the threats against CJP Isa as a “rebellion” against the Constitution. He highlighted that terrorism, suicide attacks, and fatwas have no place in Islam and assured that the government will not permit such attitudes to flourish.
Historical Context and Personal Appeals
Iqbal also recalled his own assassination attempt in 2018, noting that political leaders, particularly from the PML-N, have frequently been targeted under the guise of religion. He called on religious scholars to guide the nation and support efforts to prevent the misuse of religion for inciting violence.
Conclusion
The arrest of TLP Vice Emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah marks a significant step by the Pakistani government to uphold the rule of law and protect judicial figures from threats and violence. The government’s firm stance against malicious propaganda and incitement reflects its commitment to maintaining constitutional supremacy and justice in the country.