Pakistan

Hate speech: Prayer leader sentenced to 10 years in prison

Abdul Ghani arrested for making provocative speeches after Fajr prayers, awarded Rs750,000 fine

Our Correspondent July 03, 2015

Abdul Ghani arrested for making provocative speeches after Fajr prayers, awarded Rs750,000 fine.

BAHAWALPUR: An anti-terrorism court on Friday sentenced a prayer leader to 10 years and four months imprisonment after he was convicted of making hate speeches after Fajr prayers.

Judge Khalid Arshad also fined Abdul Ghani Rs750,000.

Prosecution said Ghani had delivered provocative speeches following Fajr prayers at a mosque in Qayampur.

Qayampur police had registered an FIR against him and arrested him. After examining the evidence and hearing the witnesses, the judge sentenced Ghani to 10 years and four months in jail.

Separately, four people were sentenced to prison terms for possessing banned literature.

Muhammad Waqas was sentenced to 110 days in jail and fined Rs5,000 after he was convicted of possession of banned literature.

Another court sentenced Rafique Ahmad to 105 days in jail and fined him Rs5,000 for possessing banned literature.

Muhammad Zahid was sentenced to imprisonment for 105 days and fined Rs3,000 for possessing literature containing objectionable content. Talib Hussain was sentenced to three months in prison and fined Rs5,000 after objectionable material was recovered from him.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (22)

xPakistani | 9 years ago | Reply @Ansari: What an ignorant remark. Remember nobody can rule you (or a nation) until you (or a nation) allow it. America is not ruling you – it is giving you charity – in return America wants your obedience - Pakistanis always begging for. Have dignity stop begging; don’t bow down in front of America. Once stop doing that, Then you have right to make a comment – but I can assure you - once you have dignity - you will not need to make a comment about America. As of today - a bagger has no right to say anything about his/her master. Just keep your mouth shut and do what we tell you.

awais | 9 years ago | Reply @Parvez: RE: Most of these so called prayer leaders are at best semi educated, semi literate people with a very limited world view and an ‘ agenda ‘ based work ethic. And whose fault is that?

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powvow | 9 years ago | Reply Hope this is not just for consumption.. I still doubt if this rogue would serve even an year in jail. Because in the past terrorists were caught, jailed and later let off, by the establishment. I still doubt if this rogue would serve even an year in jail.

Bashir | 9 years ago | Reply It is very easy in Pakistan to become a maulana . Grow long beard, cover you head with a piece of cloth and there you go. A learned maulana. Well done judge sahib. Keep it up . We are fed up from them. They should use speakers only inside the four walls of a masjid.

MSH | 9 years ago | Reply Good job .....but government must provide foolproof security to such judges sentencing religious criminals.

Arsalan | 9 years ago | Reply Well done... late ... but a good start....

doom | 9 years ago | Reply Doesn't make sense for people to be pleased about this when you have no idea what he said. You should in fact be displeased on account of not being given any information. People should not be sentenced for 10 years for speaking words, at least not without some sort of transparency.

Curious | 9 years ago | Reply Why these sudden sentences? This does not add up. Who made these Judges do their job for a change!!!!!!!.

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply Now that is a good beginning........well done, let's hope it continues.

Mulana Diesel | 9 years ago | Reply What about Maulana Aziz of Lal Masjid. The day he gets justice, I can assure no will dare to spread hatred.

UJ | 9 years ago | Reply well done baby!

qbc | 9 years ago | Reply @Ansari: No he did a hate speech against shias.

goggi (Lahore) | 9 years ago | Reply They teach what they learn!

Javed Iqbal | 9 years ago | Reply A very good decision which may be a step for bright future of our state! Salute to the Judge

SENSE | 9 years ago | Reply @Ansari "He must be talking against America which is currently ruling this country" Give it a break. Not everything is America's fault.

nuzhat shireen | 9 years ago | Reply he should be in prison for more than ten years.these people are using religion for their own .monopoly..

Parvez | 9 years ago | Reply This is a good start to curbing this monster. Most of these so called prayer leaders are at best semi educated, semi literate people with a very limited world view and an ' agenda ' based work ethic. The more important person to catch and punish is the one setting the ' agenda ' .

Aalia | 9 years ago | Reply Don't let the higher judiciary to go him free. He deserves to be in prison for rest of his life, what a mess he can be outside !

Ansari | 9 years ago | Reply He must be talking against America which is currently ruling this country.

baig | 9 years ago | Reply Very good these Mullahs should know they are not the gift of God. They think they are the authority. Well DONE.

Khan | 9 years ago | Reply Gearing up for change. Good job

AmericanMuse | 9 years ago | Reply What did he say?

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