ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court will hear on Tuesday the case on the non-implementation of its June 19 landmark judgement regarding protection of minorities’ rights.
A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk will hear the case.
A notice in this regard has been issued to the attorney general of Pakistan and Deputy Attorney General Sohail Mahmood will appear on behalf of the AGP at the hearing tomorrow.
The apex court on November 7 sent reminders to the prime minister, provincial chief ministers and chief secretaries, law ministry, establishment division, IGPs and others to submit their reports regarding measures taken for the implementation of its order. However, no report has been received as yet, a court official said.
Earlier, the office of the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) had also dispatched letters to various ministries, seeking progress reports regarding measures they have taken for the implementation of the June 19 verdict. “Since the matter is likely to be fixed [for hearing] in the near future, representatives of ministries should send their reports immediately,” read the AGP’s letter.
Former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani had initiated suo motu proceedings earlier this year after receiving a letter from the Justice Helpline regarding a suicide bombing at Peshawar’s All Saints Church – an incident in which 81 Christians were killed.
Announcing a landmark judgment on minorities’ rights, the Supreme Court had asked the government to constitute a national council for minorities’ rights and to form a special task force for the protection of places of worship of minority communities.
“A special police force be established with professional training to protect the places of worship of minorities,” said the 32-page judgment, authored by Justice Jillani. In all cases of violation of any of the rights guaranteed under law or desecration of the places of worship of minorities, the law enforcement agencies should promptly take action and criminal cases be registered against the offenders, the judgment reads.
Moreover, the apex court had also asked to develop appropriate curricula at school and college levels to promote religious tolerance in the country. It had also asked to take appropriate steps to ensure that hate speeches in social media are discouraged and the delinquents are brought to justice under the law.
Further, on October 19 the top court sought a report from the Punjab government on the brutal lynching of a Christian couple in the Kot Radha Kishan area of Kasur district earlier this month.
Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk directed the IGP Punjab, as well as the provincial secretary for minorities’ affairs on November 19 to submit a report on the tragic incident within three days, sources told The Express Tribune.
He issued the orders after going through press clippings and a note regarding the incident forwarded to him by the Human Rights Cell of the top court.
An enraged mob on November 4 had beaten to death Shama and her spouse Shehzad and later burnt their bodies in the furnace of a brick kiln, where the couple worked, after accusing them of desecrating the Holy Quran.
An official of the top court told The Express Tribune that complying with the court’s November 19 order, the IGP Punjab has submitted a report, stating that the matter is still under investigation.
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Supreme Court toward murdered Christian couple
The intervention of the highly esteemed Supreme Court of Pakistan into the recent murder of a Christian couple in Punjab stands for its thoughtfulness for the afflictions of people, In particular the downtrodden.
At the time of this heart-rending occurrence, many felt bewildered, shocked, troubled. They heaped condemnation on the actors of the incident while showing sympathy for the murdered couple, their “orphans” and the family members left behind
A mixed speculation emerged. Some people showed hopelessness and disappointment for the devastated family keeping in view those incidents of the Past where perpetrators remained unpunished
Nevertheless, a succession of visits by highly honored delegations sustained dilapidated atmosphere. Mentioning these delegations in this letter would enhance the impression of this letter. • A delegation of 50 Islamic Scholars led by Pakistan Ulma Council, Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi • Roman Catholic father James Chanon • Amir Jamat-e-Islami, Sirajul Haq • A delegation of MQm led by Dr Farooq Sattar • Chief Minister Punjab, Shabaz Shrif
The National and International print and electronic media deserves to be garlanded with appreciation for a conscious and thorough coverage of the case.
Incidentally, our National reputation in the world carries streaks of disrepute engraved on it by Communal Conflicts, Honor Killing, confrontation on religious issues; Malala being hit while advocating girls education, Crew deputed on vaccinating children against polio being shot, Terrorism swirling the country over and lately an un-educated couple of minority has been killed and incinerated on charge of Blasphemy.
The watchful eyes of the world, worldwide condemnation, a demand of Islamic Scholars for investigation, leaning of Prime Minister and Chief Minister Punjab towards justice for the victims, impact of visits and involvement of Supreme Court create good atmosphere for the inquiry. Cautiously, an attempt to dilute the process through threat, bribe, and compromise would not be allowed to succeed.