According to the FIRs, Ishaq delivered speeches at public gatherings that spread hatred against Shias. PHOTO: REUTERS/ FILE
Justice Mahmood Maqbool Bajwa of the Lahore High Court on Monday refused to hear the bail plea of Malik Ishaq, a leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (formerly known as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi), and referred the matter to the chief justice with the recommendation that a division bench be set up to hear the matter.
The judge observed that the plea should be heard by a two-member bench since the FIRs registered against the petitioner contained sections of the Anti Terrorism Act.
Earlier, Ishaq’s counsel argued that the two hate speech cases registered against his client by Bhakkar police were politically motivated. He said that the police had registered the cases without any concrete evidence.
According to the FIRs, Ishaq delivered speeches at public gatherings on August 8, 2012, and February 2, 2013, that spread hatred against Shias and created unrest in the area.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2013.
COMMENTS (3)
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He should be hanged under blasphemy law. Or send him to China where he will get immediate justice.
Fear and panic has already gripped the judiciary and this is the indication of the start of the end of the rule of law.
No judge wants to touch cases related to sectarian outfits, blasphemy and religion in general.