Petitioner advised not to pursue blasphemy case

Court shoots down Lakhvi’s plea challenging his detention.

LAHORE: A Lahore High Court judge last week dismissed a blasphemy petition after discouraging the complainant from pursuing the case against the administration of a school.

The complainant had accused the school administration of committing blasphemy by putting a “blasphemous” question in exams.

The judge, in a full courtroom, first discouraged the complainant, saying it was because of such issues that the country was lagging behind. He said they brought a bad name to the country. Later, he dismissed the petition.

Some members of the legal fraternity present in the courtroom told The Express Tribune that they had appreciated the judge for taking the stance. They said that the judiciary could play a decisive role in stopping people from using religion to settle personal scores.

Lakhvi’s petition dismissed

Last week, the LHC dismissed a petition filed by Jamatud Dawa leader Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi challenging his detention. The court dismissed the petition saying that the petitioner should avail other remedies before approaching the court. The petitioner had requested that the court declare the detention orders issued by the DCO Okara on March 13 illegal.

Lakhvi said that he had been unjustly kept behind bars for six years. He said he was not a member of a banned organisation and did not intend to create unrest.

He said the government had kept him in detention at the behest of the Indian government.

College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan

Last week, the LHC allowed military doctors to participate in the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) elections and directed them not to wear uniforms during the election process.

Justice Shamas Mahmood Mirza issued the order saying military doctors, who were members of the CPSP, could contest elections and cast votes but could not wear their uniforms during elections and canvassing.

The judge said honorary fellow of the CPSP cannot contest the elections and or vote. The judge said that the elections should be held within the month that the order was issued.

The court said new voter lists should be prepared for the elections.

Professor Dr Abdul Manan Babar, head of the Department of Surgery at Lahore General Hospital had filed the petition saying that military doctors should be stopped from participating in the CPSP elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2015.