Hate speech: LHC asks Ishaq to approach court

LAHORE: A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday disposed of a bail petition by Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat leader Malik Ishaq and asked him to approach a subordinate court for relief. Ishaq’s attorney had told the court that Bhakkar police had implicated him in two cases without any evidence. He said it was a case of political victimisation. He requested the LHC to release Ishaq on bail. Appearing on behalf of the Punjab government, a law officer said they had ample evidence against Ishaq and requested the court to dismiss the petition. After hearing the arguments, the LHC asked the petitioner to approach the trial court for the bail. Ishaq is accused of making inflammatory speeches at religious gatherings on August 8, 2012, and February 2, 2013.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2014.