Govt cracks the whip on TLP after life threats to CJ

Party's deputy amir 'arrested' from Okara

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:

The government on Monday strongly condemned the life threats made against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and announced legal proceedings against those responsible so that no one could dare challenge the writ of the state.

Just as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif held a press conference on the subject, the Qila Gujjar Singh Police in Lahore booked Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Deputy Amir Pir Zaheer Hassan Shah for issuing the life threats against Chief Justice Isa.

"The law will take its course against the elements behind the provocative and baseless propaganda campaign against the CJP," Asif said at the press conference with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. He regretted that an attempt was being made to spread bloodshed in the name of religion.

"Believing in the finality of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is part of our faith," Asif said. "The Supreme Court has already clarified its position on the matter. Qazi Faez Isa is being targeted for many years under various pretexts," he added.

The minister stated there was an ongoing effort to silence a principled and upright voice in the judiciary. He stated that the "dictation of any individual or group will not be accepted".

Speaking on the occasion, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal condemned the issuance of life threats to Chief Justice Isa, terming it an act of sedition against the country's Constitution and religious values. He added that the government would take legal action to prevent such incidents in future.

"This time, we are all united as Muslims, and our belief in Khatm-e-Nabuwwat [the Finality of Prophethood] is the foundation of our faith," he said. "No Muslim needs a certificate from any individual or group about his or her faith in Khatm-e-Nabuwwat."

Iqbal emphasised that only the courts had the right to punish or reward and that no one else could decree murder. The minister also said that the Pakistani Ulema had also condemned this issue jointly. He highlighted the need for unity, and urged against creating anarchy in society.

In Lahore, meanwhile, the police lodged the first information report (FIR) No. 2297/24 against Pir Zaheer Hassan Shah under anti-terrorism act, for inciting religious hatred, causing public disorder, intimidating and threatening the judiciary, interfering in official duties, and obstructing legal functions.

According to the FIR, over 1,400 to 1,500 armed workers of the TLP had gathered outside the Lahore Press Club, where Pir Zaheer Hassan Shah was also present on the stage. During his speech after consulting with TLP leadership, Shah hurled life threats at CJP Qazi Faez Isa, the FIR added.

Reportedly, Shah had been arrested during a police raid in Okara, where he had gone into hiding af-ter making the threatening remarks against the chief justice.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)