A file photo of Mumtaz Qadri. PHOTO: AFP
Speaking for his client at the IHC, Justice (retd) Mian Nazir Akhtar remarked that even during the time of Holy Prophet (pbuh) a person who committed blasphemy was immediately punished.
A two-member IHC bench, comprising Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi and Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, took up the case during the day.
Justice Siddiqui had questioned Akhtar whether the former Punjab governor had indirectly slammed blasphemy laws.
After making a wide range of arguments the court adjourned the hearing of the case till February 10.
Just three days ago, the court had decided to resume the hearing on the appeal case of the convicted killer of Taseer with the Islamabad advocate general (AG) expected to lead the prosecution team.
RELATED POST: Mumtaz Qadri's appeal: Islamabad AG expected to lead the prosecution
The government law officers sought more time as they were not prepared to pursue the case.
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In normal courts, such irrelevant arguments should get thrown out right away, and no discussion should be allowed to distract the court. Here, the defense lawyers are bringing Holocaust, Charlie Hebdo, and what happens in Europe/West into the proceedings to emotionalize the whole matter. And the honorable judges instead of striking down such behavior, are falling for it and getting into these lengthy proceedings and wasting everybody's time.
A few words for the uneducated Qadri fans. This is not a blasphemy trial or a Salman Taseer trial. This is a review petition of Qadri who is a murder convict. Your religious arguments are irrelevant here. The court has already stated they will not hear blasphemy arguments and that a police constable does not have the right to make a blasphemy judgement and carry out the execution as well. There are blasphemy laws and courts for that and then the govt executes the sentence. So save your breath. The only chance Qadri's lawyers have to prove the lower court ruling was wrong is to prove on technical grounds that the state did not follow the law in producing evidence, or to bring new evidence before the court that was not available during the trial. Neither of these have a good chance. So Qadri will ultimately be hanged.
The supporters of Qadri are using coercion and sheer bully tactics in his defence, while hiding behind the curtain of religion......they should be ashamed of themselves.
Qadri should be hanged as soon as possible and must be made an exemplary for the taliban mindset. No one has the right to kill other on difference of ideology. The former Judge is equal responsible for spreading radicalising and paralleling the country with extremism. A thorough investigation should be made on his judgement and made it public.
Qadri, we want you to be punished according to supreme law of land!
How is this relevant to the case? In the world, there are 600000+ murders, 250000+ rapes, and 50000+ cases of heinous crimes against children every year. Should these all be made legal?
The conduct of this former judge is criminal.
Maniacs like Qadri must be made an example of. Civilized world does not have a place for them.
Typically the last sentence is telling. The Govt. law officers are not prepared for the case. What might be the reason? Your guess is as good as mine..
we love to see this animal hanged
@Truth: @Raisani: You are the enemies of law and order and peaceful existence in Pakistan. It's because of Illiterates like you why 50,000 innocent Pak Citizen are butchered in cold blood.
This lawyer is confusing the issue, and the judges need to tell him so! The issue of blasphemy is a side issue - the question the courts need to decide on is whether it is legal for any person to take the law into his own hands and murder another person. If an individual feels that another is in breach of the law, he still needs to get that person convicted through legal means! There is a blasphemy law in this country (and a lot of us feel that it should not be there) which is for courts to uphold, and not individuals! On top of this there is also the added crime of Qadri, that he was in a position of trust, which he grossly abused! The lawyer's argument is totally flawed - if other nations/religions have applied punishments based on blasphemy laws, I am sure they have not given individuals the right to carry out those punishments!
Ghazi Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, you are a nightmare for the blasphemers. Nation wants to see you within us soon!
Love to see you all over Qadri! You are a champ!
Mumtaz Qadri, we love you. You are a Ghazi!