Hate speech: LHC adjourns Malik Ishaq’s bail plea till Nov 4

Ishaq’s counsel said police had registered cases against his client for making provocative speeches.

LAHORE:

A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing of a bail application by Malik Ishaq, a leader of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat (formerly known as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi) till November 4.

Ishaq’s counsel told the court that Bhakkar police had registered cases against his client on August 8, 2012, and February 2, 2013, for making provocative speeches at public gatherings.

The lawyer denied the allegations. He said his client had never made provocative statements. He requested the court to issue directions to the police to release him.

Officials of the Home Department, the Prosecution Department and police opposed the application.

They said the police had sufficient proof against Ishaq. They said his release could cause a law and order problem.

The bench, headed by Justice Anwarul Haq, adjourned the hearing till November 4 and directed the parties to advance more arguments at the next hearing.

Malik Ishaq has been in jail for the last three months. In his bail plea, Ishaq said he was innocent and being victimised for his religious beliefs.

He requested the court to order his release.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2013.