Death threats to Justice Isa: Defence minister says govt to take ‘stringent action’

ISLAMABAD: Slamming the propaganda against the top judge of the country, the Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Monday declared that stringent action would be taken against those issuing death threats to Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

Speaking at a presser along with Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Asif emphasised that the state will not tolerate “religious decrees calling for murder”.

“The law will take its course against the elements behind the provocative and baseless propaganda campaign against Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa,” he maintained.

TLP leader booked for ‘inciting violence’ against CJP Isa

He regretted that an attempt is being made to spread bloodshed in the name of religion for vested political interests.

He said that believing in the finality of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is part of our faith, adding the Supreme Court of Pakistan has already clarified its position on the matter.

Asif condemned the inflammatory remarks made against CJ Isa and highlighted attempts on social media to incite the public to commit murder.

He warned that permitting such rhetoric could lead to the disintegration of the state’s structure, adding there are efforts to incite violence in the name of religion, with CJ Isa being targeted through various pretexts.

He reiterated that the state would not accept any group dictating terms, emphasising the importance of upholding the rule of law and justice in the country.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal too declared that threatening the top judge of the country is a direct rebellion against the constitution.

He asserted that the authority to judge and impose penalties lies solely with the judiciary and no group has the right to issue death fatwas.

He emphasised that terrorism, suicide bombings, and issuing fatwas have no connection with Islam and vowed that the law would take strong action against such elements.

“The individuals or groups who sow seeds of hatred in the name of religion for their own petty political gains should be rejected…no one will be allowed to issue murder fatwas,” he maintained. He stressed the state’s responsibility to protect every citizen, saying anyone involved in these kinds of activities like issuing decrees will be dealt with an iron hand. This is pertinent to mention that Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) vice emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah, who had gone in hiding in Okara, was arrested after being booked for inciting violence against Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.

The arrest of the hardliner cleric comes after a case was lodged against him for a speech made during a protest rally outside the Lahore Press Club during a demonstration against the SC’s verdict in the Mubarak Sani case.

The case was lodged in Lahore’s Qila Gujjar Sing police station on behalf of Station House Officer (SHO) Hammad Hussain against the TLP leader and 1,500 party workers for issuing death threats to the chief justice.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024