Taseer murder case: Ex-LHC chief justice to defend Mumtaz Qadri
Qadri has filed an appeal against his death sentence given to him by an Anti Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi on October 1.
Justice Sharif submitted his power of attorney on behalf of Qadri in the court on Monday and will appear before the bench on Tuesday (today), revealed Justice Sharif’s son Khawaja Bilal.
The divisional bench of the Islamabad High Court, comprising Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman and Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan will hold the proceedings. Bilal told The Express Tribune that his father was dealing with Qadri’s case on a top-priority basis. It was further revealed that Justice Sharif would not seek any adjournment on Tuesday since he had already sent his power of attorney to ensure that on the first date of hearing, he could argue the case.
Qadri, a constable of Elite Police Force, confessed to murdering the governor at every forum — from the district magistrate to the trial court.
He tried to justify his act by saying that he had killed Taseer for supporting blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi, who was Christian by faith and whom Taseer had believed had been wrongly convicted of committing blasphemy.
Terror in the courts
Qadri’s trial has remained a controversial one, with violent protests being held across Pakistan against the verdict.
Additionally, ATC Judge Pervaiz Ali Shah who passed the death sentence for Qadri was transferred to Lahore on Friday amid protest from religious groups.
Shah was also transferred to Child Protection Court Bureau in Lahore, merely a month after he was posted to Rawalpindi due to security risks.
The judge had been unable to perform his duty due to the hostility of a certain group of lawyers and other religious groups who had been asking the authorities to hand Shah over to them.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2011.
COMMENTS (16)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Perhaps now its time a code of conduct is set for Justice Sharif, and the likes from the judiciary, who have become all the more fame-hungry after the so-called judicial activism. Delivering justice is one thing but acting like politicians and issuing fiery statements is just the opposite and utterly disgusting. Culture of playing hero must now end.
@Ali Rizvi: some words for asiaaa...... the cause of all the incident, waiting
isnt it blasphemy on qadri's part to kill a man who, even if as he says is allegedly wajibul-qatl, but had not been convicted of the same under law? and even if he had been convicted, it is the right/duty of the state to punish him not any random citizen who wants to? i dont see ppl going on the straat and stoning rapists to death! is that also not a crime against shariah and islam? shariah promotes law and hates lawlessness, and the taking of law in ones own hands. indeed islam promotes the fabric of society and not its tearing down by acts of violence. is it also not true that acts of violence against the prophet (pbuh) were treated by him with kindness in return, in fact the prophets (pbuh) whole life was of forgiveness and caring and winning over hearts and minds through good deeds, in fact killing the other side with kindness. i dont get it. how is it that when islam teaches us humility and goodness and kindness, even to the enemy and the prophet never punished or even raised his voice, let alone a hand against those who harmed or said foul things to him, who are these people who purport to be muslims, (and allegedly, or so they say, better muslims than the rest of us at that!) can go so directly opposite the teachings of Allah an his prophet and then say they are upholding the tenets of islam and shariah. are they not liable under the blasphemy laws then for blaspheming? why are all these ppl not being charged under this law then? can anyone explain this.
I have more than certainty in my mind that ATC Judge Pervaiz Ali Shah's wows have just started. Wait till we hear that another qadri has shot him also dead.
I am so disappointed by this development. It breaks my heart to see what the judiciary is becoming in Pakistan. May allah save the Islamic Republic of Pakistan..
Taseer was our bravest hero. He laid down his life for a poor mother of five children. Real Gustakh-e- Rasool are those who are defending a criminal, a killer and above all a person who shot dead the same person whom he was suppose to protect. This was worst kind of dishonesty and treason. Qadri supporters are insulting our constitution, law and courts. If Taseer demanded some changes in a particular law and was handed death sentence, then Qadri and his supporters should be hanged too. They have insulted same law, which clearly state that no one can take law into his hands. Those who cite examples of Ghazi Ilm Din, should know that there were no Islamic courts and laws regarding blasphemy. If you want to repeat history, then Qadri should be made Governor of Punjab. He deserved that post. Rules of past should be imposed in full.
World Day Against the Death Penalty 2010..............Abolish the death penalty in Pakistan! Death penalty is a coldblooded collective murder!
What a nation! We only mobilize to support murderers.
It is extremely dangerous to keep him on death row. He must be disposed off asap.
No one really cares about religion or justice; its all business honey..!
Liberals have gone onto silent mode now!
Ex-Chief Justice can defend Mumtaz Qadri, there is nothing illegal
This is pretty similar to Ex-Justice Supreme Court, Justice (R) Zahid Hussain Shah, representing one, Raymond, Allen, Davis
Who will find someone to defend him in the hereafter?