LAHORE:
An information technology expert of the outlawed Hizbut Tahrir (HuT) was arrested on Thursday under different sections of the Anti Terrorism Act, Pakistan Penal Code and Pakistan Army Act on charges of hatching a conspiracy against national interests.
Arshad Jamal was among those who attended a meeting on August 3 where HuT representatives allegedly agreed to step up operations to conspire against and incite rebellion among the judiciary, government and the army when police personnel raided a house in Lahore’s Defence Sector B area.
Jamal was arrested on charges of conspiracy and sedition against the federal government and state institutions; printing, publishing and disseminating material to incite hatred; and for membership, support and meetings relating to the proscribed organisation and abetting mutiny in the armed forces, Defence A police station investigation in-charge Inspector Arshad Kahloon told The Express Tribune.
An FIR has been registered against Saeed Jigranvi – chairman of the HuT’s central coordination committee – and Arshad Jamal on the complaint of Sub Inspector Nadeem Baber.
Extracts of the FIR reveal that an informer passed on information that a sizeable number of members of HuT – which was banned by the interior ministry in November 20, 2003 – had gathered to hatch a conspiracy against national interests, the sitting government, armed forces and the judiciary to stoke unrest in society and incite soldiers to mutiny.
To that end, countless booklets, pamphlets and other material was printed for distribution which was seized by the police at the crime scene.
The investigation officer further revealed that Anti Terrorism Court No 3 Judge Irfan Ahmed Saeed on Thursday handed HuT member Jamal over to the Defence B Police in physical remand till August 27 for interrogation on the request of the police and public persecutor.
Separately, the Punjab government has filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court against the acquittal of 19 activists of HuT who were arrested by Model Town police on March 29, sources in Punjab’s public prosecution department told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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HT's ideas are too dangerous for public consumption? Presumably PTV and the other drip feed from media institutions with vested liberal/secular interests are the only voices Pakistanis should hear- isn't this indoctrination? Let HT speak up in Pakistan; if they have anything good to say then the people will back them; if not then people will ignore them... Censoring them to me shows that they must possess something which the govt/army fears? Greatest irony is that the champions of "freedom of speach" are the ones clamping down on them...let them speak and let Pakistanis decide whether they are saying anything of worth
@faraz: what are you talking about, 30 years of khilafat, and 10 mins on monarchy, what monarchy? we are living under oppressive rule which will fall just wait and see inshallah.
One can only laugh on these childish charges. The real treason is colluding with US on its war on Pakistan, looting billions and depositing looted money in foreign banks, opening up with India,freeing real terrorists such as raymond davis which supervises attacks on Pak military and executing illegal coups in Pakistan. That is what i called treason and not calling for political Islam.
A peaceful transition into a system representing the beliefs and values of the people would be the perfect tonic that the people need to get back on the road to revival, which is precisely what I read of HuT's manifesto and methodology. The media has not been accurate in its reporting. Expecting revival from an election in a sham democratic system is delusional. Any further meddling and experimenting with the current system and current crop of politicians and we are more likely to sink deeper into the abyss of chaos via the extremists on both ends (liberals and religious). I would rather HuT come into power and teach the masses a lesson of what they are losing out by "not" supporting the call for the Khilafah.
I know people from HT for like last 20 years. HUT is a peacful organisation. I never understand why PPP goverment is so afraid of them.
So state is standing against Islamic law, what does that make state by "law", if not open betrayer. Remember, "No law could be made against Quran and Sunnah", so the call of Khilafah is doing what intent of Constitution of Pakistan is (in the above mentioned point) but state is calling this as crime. Now, what about General Kayani who stand with USA in a war which is destroying Pakistan (is it not an open betrayal too, lets observe constitutionally can a Muslim General partner with USA when Quran is very explicit about taking partners).
@True Muslim Paki: Is god unhappy with Sweden, Switzerland, and Netherlands? Reality seems to say otherwise, and yet they are perhaps the most secular countries with large percentage of irreligious people.
Pakistan is made as an Islamic Country and yet, muslims are being harassed like this. This is the reason why Pakistan is in such a bad state because Allah is unhappy with our acts.
let's see how these rulers stop an idea with a bullet ...
@zubair: Stop deluding yourself.
@zubair: Anyone who incites on treason is guilty of a serious crime.
@zubair: Yes, indeed. Peaceful activists who want to impose celestial dictatorship. They are no different from the Taliban.
Stop Harassment of peaceful and highly educated peaceful activists. It only underscores the intellectual bankcruptsy of current rulers and system. Shame
HuT guys should be taught a 10 minute lesson on monarchy because after 30 years of khilafat, what followed till the collapse of Ottoman Empire was monarchy!