By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday amended its previous order in a high-profile blasphemy case, removing paragraphs that had drawn objections from religious groups and the government.
The case involves Mubarak Sani, a member of the marginalized Ahmadi community, who was accused of blasphemy in 2019 for distributing Islamic literature.
Ahmadis, a group that originated in British-controlled India in the 19th century who consider themselves an Islamic movement, are regarded as heretical by orthodox Muslims and are forbidden from calling themselves Muslims or using Islamic symbols in their religious practices. They face discrimination and violence over accusations that their faith insults Islam.
Sani was convicted under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act, 2021, but the Supreme Court overturned his conviction in February, citing that the law did not exist at the time of the alleged offense.
However, the court’s ruling sparked widespread criticism from religious groups, who accused the court of deviating from Islamic principles. The Council of Islamic Ideology and religious scholars raised concerns over the ruling, saying it could be used to justify blasphemy.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, leading a three-member bench, on Thursday removed paragraphs 7, 42, and 49-C from their February order, addressing concerns over proselytization and potential misuse as a judicial precedent.
“After hearing detailed arguments… the court will review its ruling of February 6, 2024, and its verdict of July 24, 2024,” the Supreme Court said in a short order, saying it would omit certain paragraphs following recommendations by scholars and the Council of Islamic Ideology, which advises the government on the compatibility of laws with Islam.
The court also said the expunged paragraphs could not “be cited as precedent” in any future verdict, advising the trial court hearing Sani’s case to review the charges imposed against him in light of the law.
Legal experts and independent observers see the court’s decision as appearing to succumb to pressure from right-wing groups that have previously employed violent protests to influence cases involving blasphemy allegations.
In Muslim-majority Pakistan, blasphemy remains a highly charged issue, with mere allegations often leading to public lynchings and mob violence. The country’s blasphemy laws have been criticized by human rights groups for being frequently exploited to pursue personal vendettas.
Last month, authorities booked a leader of the militant Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party in a terrorism case for allegedly inciting violence against Chief Justice Isa in the Sani case. The militant leader allegedly offered a Rs10 million bounty for violence against the country’s top judge.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
