LAHORE: A review board of the Lahore High Court (LHC), on Friday, extended the detention of Malik Ishaq and Ghulam Rasool Shah, former leaders of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, for one more month, describing their release as a threat to peace.
The board, comprising Justices Nasir Saeed Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmed Malik and Sheikh Ahmed Farooq, announced the order after hearing the detained men in in-camera proceedings.
Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar DPOs produced Ishaq and Shah. They were brought to the court in an armoured vehicle.
Both the DPOs requested the court to extend the detention as their release could result in a law and order ‘situation’. They said when Ishaq was released on bail he started objectionable activities. The Rahim Yar Khan DPO said that although Ishaq’s name was on a ‘watch list’ under the Fourth Schedule of the anti terrorism law. As such he was required to keep law enforcement agencies informed about his movement, he did not do so.
He said it was necessary to extend his detention for a month each.
Ishaq said that he had been released on bail after spending 14 years in jail. He said the Punjab government, had issued his detention order without any incriminating material against him. He said if he had to be kept in detention; the authorities could restrain him to his house.
Shah submitted that he was a student of LLB (part one) and a legal advisor to Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (the new name of Lashkar-i-Jhangvi). He said he had no role in any objectionable activities.
After the hearing, the court issued an order extending the detention of the two men.
Ishaq, accused in 44 cases involving 70 killings, has been acquitted in 34 cases and granted bail in 10.
He was released from Kot Lakhpat jail on July 14, 2011 after 14 years of imprisonment when the Supreme Court (SC) granted him bail in the case involving a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.
The Punjab government approached the SC for cancellation of bail but the plea was dismissed.
Ishaq was then detained in Rahim Yar Khan jail for 10 days under the Maintenance of Public Order Act. The detention was extended for 60 days on October 25.
Shah, described by police as a close aide of Malik Ishaq, involved in the attack on Shiites in Ali Pur, Muzaffargarh.
According to the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance 1960, the Home Department can detain a person for three months if they could create a law and order situation if released. According to Section 5 of the ordinance, no person can be detained for a period exceeding three months unless a judicial board has reviewed the case and concluded that there is sufficient cause for such detention to continue.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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He needs to hang. Under true Islamic rule a menace to society like him would be beheaded
He should be jailed for as much years as he made no of jackets for suicide bombers
All these jihadis should be given to the Govt of China , they will do a swift job, Guantinimo was a waste of time
Just tag him as a PoW since regardless of all the inept claims of it not being Pakistan's war, on the record and thus according to law, it is. That makes his terrorist actions qualify him to be considered a war-enemy and also brings him closer to being one of few people who has taken actions that actually fall conceivably into the category of treason unlike many the people force the label on. After he's a PoW just forget he exists. People are always forgetting about those for decades. Though I will say that habit belongs to almost any country in war and it's not isolated to Pakistan by a long shot.
I am surprised that he is not simply released. He only has 44 cases including 70 murders against him. The courts are doing a great job for jihadists.
The biggest trouble with Deobandis is their aversion to inquiry, bigotry and lack of basic human values is there as well.
@sam: we need to learn how to respect humans. new, old social contract is too far cry. SC can see what Atiqa Odho is carrying in her bag... But SC become blind when it come to give punishment to terrorists. and never question why investigation police can not provide evidence to punish terrorist. But when it comes to politically motivated cases, SC can appoint investigator of its own choice. hence proved: SC is blind not the law.
There is a need to understand that there is no sunni-shia conflict. There are conflict among Wahabis/Deobandis & Shia and Wahabis/Deobandis & sunnis. We need to come out of state of denial and act accordingly. Unity among Muslims is the need of the hour.
This looks like procrastination as the will to do the right thing seems lacking. This shows the weakness of the state.
Look written above" allegedly involved in 44 cases" . but question is, Not a single case proven? THEN MUST be very innocent or very terrorist, common person can judge very well. Down with Govts and courts who are blindfolded for their own political interests and lack of proofs, no one think of citizen killed, many futures destroyed, but no government ever took notice of such root causes... UNFORTUNATE FOR NATIONAL INTEREST
State has failed to do it's primary job, that is to protect lives of it's citizens.
Pakistan needs a new social contract to solve Shia Sunni problem. There are things which need to change.its not working.bloodshed will stay until unless we educate people.