July 29, 2024
By Xari Jalil
LAHORE: In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the government and the religious right, Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) vice-leader Zaheerul Hassan Shah has been apprehended by authorities. Shah is a prominent figure within the hardline religio-political party, known for its aggressive protests and demands.
The arrest stems from serious allegations leveled against Shah of threatening to kill the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa. In a video that surfaced on Sunday, Shah made these threats during a fiery protest outside the Lahore Press Club, inciting the crowd of supporters to acts of violence and intimidation.
A case has been registered against Shah along with a staggering 1,500 TLP activists, with charges including terrorism, religious hatred, and contempt of court. These severe accusations reflect the gravity of the situation.
The TLP leader’s arrest comes at a time when there is intense social and political unrest across the country. TLP has enjoyed considerable street power especially in Punjab, with complete impunity, and has often been alleged to have been behind some of the most violent incident including attacks on people on charges of blasphemy, the Jaranwala incident, attacks on Ahmadi community and their worship places, etc. However to date the government has done little to contain its antics, including inflammatory language or hate speech against a certain community, and has also often fulfilled its demands.
Shahzad Shaukat of the Supreme Court Bar Council told Voicepk that they had already issued a statement regarding the maligning of judges.
“Judges should not and cannot be maligned for the decisions that they have made,” said Shahzad Shaukat, the President of the SCBC.
Haroon ur Rasheed, Vice chairperson of the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) also said to Voicepk that the judges’ decision must be read properly to be understood.
“Who are these people, who have suddenly emerged and started threatening the CJP like this?” he asked in a rhetorical question. “Is this some kind of joke that anyone can stand up and say anything they want against him?”
Rasheed said it was a step in the right direction that a case had been lodged against the TLP leader and he had been arrested. “The law should now take its course, this is the only way forward,” he said.
In their press statement the Pakistan Bar Council as well as the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Bar Council both condemned the threats against CJP Qazi Faiz Isa and said that the Supreme Court has ordered the Criminal Revision Petition No. 2 2024 on 24th July, in which it is clearly stated that no person can become a Muslim without complete and unconditional faith in the end of Prophethood. The judgement also clearly states, said the press release, that groups calling themselves Ahmadis are non-Muslims according to religion and Shariat and the constitution and law. ‘The verdict states that those who call themselves Ahmadis have no right to spread their faith among Muslims in public or private. Earlier decisions of the Federal Shariah Court and the Supreme Court have also been adhered to. Apart from this, guidance has also been obtained from the statements of eminent scholars and their writings. However this judgment is being misinterpreted by some elements and are also spreading false and baseless propaganda against the Chief Justice of Pakistan by spreading malicious and hate speech on social media.
The PBC states that lawyers across the country have condemned this act.
Government Reaction
Meanwhile, government officials have condemned the threats levied against the CJP and have vowed to take stringent measures against those disseminating falsehoods about him. In a joint press conference, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal denounced the threats, and said they came from ‘elements with ulterior political motives’ who are exploiting religion to foment violence.
Asif characterized the allegations against the Chief Justice as baseless and part of a sustained effort to target him. He emphasized that the Supreme Court has already rendered a verdict in the Mubarak Sani case, yet these individuals persisted in spreading disinformation. The minister asserted the state’s authority, declaring that it would not tolerate fatwas calling for the killing of individuals and that such actions would erode the government’s writ.
Iqbal added that inciting violence against the Chief Justice and offering a substantial reward for his assassination constitutes open defiance of Pakistan’s Constitution.
Referencing a previous assassination attempt against himself, he linked such attacks to a broader political strategy aimed at eliminating the PML-N leadership. He warned that allowing these groups to issue fatwas could plunge the country into chaos and bloodshed.
Both ministers highlighted the Paigham-i-Pakistan, a declaration by Pakistani religious scholars condemning extremism and violence, as a counterpoint to the actions of these groups. They expressed deep regret over past incidents of mob violence, such as those in Sialkot, Jaranwala, Sargodha, and Swat, which have tarnished Pakistan’s global image.
The ministers pledged to thoroughly investigate the case and ensure that no individual or group can dictate terms to the state. They affirmed the government’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and delivering justice.
Meanwhile despite several attempts, Voicepk received no response from the spokesperson of the TLP.
At the same time, clerics too from different religious denominations have denounced the threats made by TLP. In a press conference they flanked the Information Minister Attaullah Tarar who declared that such actions would not be tolerated and would be met with severe consequences. He emphasized that taking the law into one’s own hands in the name of religion is unacceptable and that the government would take strict action against those involved in spreading hate and discord. Tarar asserted that the government has registered a case against the perpetrators under anti-terrorism laws, underscoring the gravity of the situation.