Pakistan

Crackdown against shady publishers underway

Committee reviews progress on LHC order for accurate printing of Quranic text

Our Correspondent October 14, 2023

FILE: PHOTO of Lahore High Court

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs Aneeq Ahmed has directed relevant authorities to take immediate legal actions against unauthorized publishers of the Holy Quran. He has also urged the provincial governments to enhance the activity of all Quran boards.

"According to the Constitution, Ahmadis are non-Muslims, and they are not allowed to build their worship places in the style of a mosque," the minister said on Saturday while attending a high-level committee.

The committee, formed on the order of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, was reviewing progress on the Lahore High Court (LHC) orders in the Hassan Muawiya case.

Chaired by Minister for Interior Sarfraz Bugti, the meeting was attended by key representatives from the religious affairs, law, foreign affairs, education, and information and broadcasting ministries.

Provincial chief secretaries as well as officials of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and law enforcement agencies also took part in it.

Earlier, concerned officials presented their progress reports on the LHC’s directives on accurate printing of the text and translation of the Holy Quran. They informed the committee that several cases had been registered against violators of the law and dozens of offending websites had been shut down.

Immediate legal action was being taken against such websites and publishers, they stated.
Interior Minister Bugti emphasized the importance of ensuring that all provinces fully implement court rulings to maintain the rule of law.

He directed the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Punjab Police to ensure that unregistered publishers and those involved in the unauthorized dissemination of the Quranic texts face immediate legal actions.

He said non-Muslims should be more effectively informed about the laws related to the respect and sanctity of the Holy Quran.

"The Pakistani Ahmadis are a minority community, and they must be informed about the relevant laws as no one is allowed to interfere with the law on any ground," he added. He said the protection of every minority living in the country must also be ensured.

He expressed his dissatisfaction over the non-participation of Punjab Inspector General Police in the meeting. Minister Aneeq Ahmed reiterated that faith and love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) could not be separated from a Muslim’s heart.

He stressed that all provinces should collaborate to establish the writ of the state in line with court orders. He said every province should submit their progress reports to facilitate court proceedings.