Pakistani Christians shout slogans during a protest against the attack on the homes of members of the Christian community by Muslim demonstrators, in Karachi. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry took suo motu notice of the Joseph Colony attack, Express News reported on Sunday.
The CJP has summoned the Inspector General (IG) Punjab and advocate General Punjab to the Supreme Court tomorrow. Both have been asked to submit a comprehensive report on the Joseph Colony incident.
On March 9, an over 3,000-strong mob set ablaze more than 150 houses of Christians in the Joseph Colony over alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by Sawan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian sanitation worker.
Shahid Imran, complainant in the FIR registered against Masih, told The Express Tribune that Sawan would utter blasphemous remarks against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) from time to time. When it happened again on Thursday, he told his friend Shafiq, who took out a knife and went straight to Sawan’s house. This visit bore no fruit. Then, on Friday, he incited other men to join him in punishing Savan.
According to Imran, the situation went out of control when people reached the spot after offering prayers under Qari Saifullah. Countless people had joined the mob, chanting slogans and throwing stones at the houses.
Qari Saifullah said that if they find Sawan, they must cut him into pieces.
The Lahore Police arrested around 100 suspected miscreants in connection to the mob attack that followed on Saturday.
Ordering a judicial inquiry, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the arsonists would be tried in anti-terrorism courts for their ‘barbaric’ acts. He also announced that SSP Sohail Sukhera and SP Multan Khan have been immediately made OSDs, whereas the DSP and SHO of the area have been suspended.
Protests broke out, following the incident, in major cities like Lahore and Karachi.
COMMENTS (19)
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Respect and patience is only evitable way out of this blasphemous thing....
Only communism can fix this country.
If the CJ and Punjab government are serious then they should publish the FIR copy for the Media and People to see how sincere they are in their words...
@Mj: It's of no value if such people are put behind bars because they operate with impunity even from jails.They are provided mobiles to contact outside world.
this is so awful. i dont know if pakistanis have any idea how this inflames anti-muslim sentiment in the west. this rioting and burning of christian homes plays right into the hands of the islamaphobes and war mongerers who want to incinerate every muslim on earth they ignore [and the media doesnt report] any other type of violence as when muslims riot or destroy. so many americans believe that these rioters represent all muslims because the news only reports this kind of situation. Qari Saifullah and the leaders of this rioting should be charged with incitement to riot and everything else you can throw at them...but their damage to Islam and Pakistan has already been done. These madmen who see themselves as carrying the banner of your religion are the very one who are destroying any respect for Islam and Muslims.
@ali wrote "
@ Mj How many Qari you will put behind the bar – the nation needs reforms in understanding Islam that teaches love and peace not hatred "
Then do away with the weaopn of mass oppression - The blasphemey law of Pakistan.
@ali: You must be joking!!! Islam teaches love and peace????
@ Mj How many Qari you will put behind the bar - the nation needs reforms in understanding Islam that teaches love and peace not hatred
CJ doing well scoring better than any player in our cricket team in score of his suo motu - However, we still seek results of this score and hope that it comes now
Impose punitive taxes on all the residents of Lahore. Cut power, water and gas supply to the arsonists for six months. People should be made to pay for their crimes.
Last week, during Karachi incident, CJ has taken suo motu notice. CJ is very busy now
When it happened again on Thursday, he told his friend Shafiq, who took out a knife and went straight to Sawan’s house.
Has an FIR for attempted murder, terrorism, inciting for murder and arson, registered against these two thugs (Shafiq and Shahid).
What happend with other Sue motu's in past? My Lord.. !
CJ should ask the Punjab government who has been arrested so far, and more importantly what charges have been framed. Arrests for mere violation of 144 is not enough. The terrorists must be tried under Anti-Terrorism Act. Don't make a joke with the lives of the people. If you have no principles, resign.
It is a good move by judiciary to step in this grave matter. Unfortunately, the state law and order machinery has completely failed to protect the minorities including Shias. The mere utterance of the word 'blasphemy' can cause violence all over Pakistan which needs to be debated by prominent religious leaders, political parties and the govt in order to bring down intolerance in the country. Review of text books should be done on priority, removing hatred and jihad material which has made the major communities intolerant towards minority communities as well as justify use of violence.
Now Hope jusitce will be done. Thanks CJ you care at least poor people every time
Can't Pakistani realize even now that a fourth generation war is on:
Make Pakistani's fight & kill other Pakistanis
Same as in Syria, Iraq,Libya.......
"Qari Saifullah said that if they find Savan, they must cut him into pieces."
Can we put this psychopath in jail or at least a mental hospital?