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Salmaan Taseer case: ATC judge goes on indefinite leave

Amid violent protests, Justice Shah has been receiving life threats since the hearing of the case.

Published: October 4, 2011

Activists of Pakistan's Jamaat-e-Sunnah and supporters of convicted killer Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, disperse after police fire teargas during a protest in Lahore on October 3, 2011. PHOTO: AFP

RAWALPINDI: Justice Pervaiz Shah, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) judge who announced the verdict in the Salmaan Taseer murder case, has gone on leave for an indefinite period of time, Express 24/7 reported on Tuesday.

Justice Shah had been receiving life threats since the hearing of the case had started.

The ATC had sentenced Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, the self-confessed murderer of former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, to death on Saturday.

Qadri, one of Taseer’s elite force guards, shot and killed the governor for his views on the blasphemy law outside a restaurant in Islamabad.

Usman Khalid

Oct 4, 2011 - 2:05PM

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when we will learn from history and from others, identities of these judges are already disclosed for extremist to get them and their families.

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GetRidOfFeudalPolitics

Oct 4, 2011 - 2:08PM

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This is a definitive moment. The government needs to win this for the sake of our freedom within our own country. Detain these protesters and clamp down on their organizations. Keep their activities under scrutiny.

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M.Akthar

Oct 4, 2011 - 2:16PM

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Good thing. He should be better leave the country along with his family for his own safety. Salman`s son has been kidnapped and there has been no news as yet. There are Huge support for Qadri in Pakistan, & we have seen his support in rally in the immediate aftermath of the killing of Taseer.

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Hameed

Oct 4, 2011 - 2:29PM

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Poor guy, its a pity that we are being taken over by fundos who are hell bent upon imposing their will regardless of the fact that it is immoral, illegal let alone against the tenets of Islam.

I pray and hope for the safety of you and your family. I also salute the judge on his moral stand and making the right decision.

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Bigboy

Oct 4, 2011 - 2:46PM

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May Allah protect Judge Saheb.Recommend
kashan

Oct 4, 2011 - 2:55PM

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May Allah save him and his family members. Ameen

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Pundit

Oct 4, 2011 - 3:30PM

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More rose petals?

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Saleem

Oct 4, 2011 - 3:59PM

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If this man is being “punished” because what they claim was a “higher” cause and they claim he be “rewarded” in his next life by Almighty God then there should be celebrations that he is going to get there sooner. What this commotion is all about? Is there something more to it? Is that other people’s lives are not as important as their own?

Keep your religion to yourself as that is Islamic way. Holy Prophet (PBUH) never imposed his will or religion on any human being. When Muslims ruled Medina, there is no example that Kafir were executed because of their non-Muslim beliefs at that time. Holly Quran says very clearly that one who kills a human life is like the one who killed whole humanity. Before you die, let this be known to those who brain washed you that they are as much sinners as you are and deserve no mercy.

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Noble Tufail

Oct 4, 2011 - 4:41PM

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the terror of fanatics!!!!!

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M Ali Khan

Oct 4, 2011 - 4:52PM

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Bravo! O Mujahids of Islam!

For you have made a man flee for his life for daring to condemn a murdering bigot to death!

Bravo! O Soldiers of Allah!

You can threaten any man with death that defy your intolerance and stupidity and get away with it!

Bravo!

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Word Life

Oct 4, 2011 - 4:57PM

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If the said Judge has done nothing wrong, why go on an indefinite leave?

Why fear people, when you only have the fear of ALLAH in your heart? Or do you ?

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Waseem

Oct 4, 2011 - 6:00PM

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@Word Life:
Why do you go to work when you know Allah will provide food for you?
Why do you take medicine when you know its Allah who will give you a healthy life?
Why go for worldy desire when you love Allah? Or do you?
Well because Allah tells us to tie your camel and then pray.

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Mir

Oct 4, 2011 - 6:06PM

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if judges fear to give verdict if police fear to implement law if people cheer murderer and people celebrate act of violence, and still if we are quiet, then we don’t need any law,courts,judges, because we are free to do anything in jungle.

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Ali Hasan

Oct 4, 2011 - 6:35PM

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@Word Life:

Big words. I’d like to see what you do in his position.

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Aamir

Oct 4, 2011 - 7:19PM

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Brave Judge. He should enjoy protection by Elite Police (yes I know Qadri was also Elite police)

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Ameer Hamza Adhia

Oct 4, 2011 - 7:39PM

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Mr. Waseem, nice reply.

I feel sorry for the judge.

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Muslims For Peace

Oct 4, 2011 - 8:26PM

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Proud of you Mister Judge. It was very important to announce death penalty for Qadri otherwise Islamic fanatics like Qadri would have obtained a license to kill anyone in the name of Allah reducing already deteriorated religious tolerance to zero in Pakistan. I pray for this ill-fated country that may Allah show its people the right path.

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Ali

Oct 4, 2011 - 8:45PM

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The judge is a brave guy. May Allah be with you.

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Faction

Oct 4, 2011 - 8:51PM

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Dawn reports that the sentencing judge’s courtroom was ransacked, with windows broken, in protest over his verdict… by dozens of LAWYERS! Not ignorant, uneducated street people but educated, trained legal professionals who felt it was okay to perpetuate mob violence against their own court, apparently in defense of the right of any citizen to commit vigilante murder in the name of Islam. Civilization in Pakistan is truly hanging on by a thread.

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Attif Abbas

Oct 4, 2011 - 9:03PM

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Probably Poor Judge didnt read the happenings and Verdict in Raymond Davis case.

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