By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday suspended an earlier order directing the government to form a commission to investigate the misuse of the nation’s blasphemy laws, a deeply contentious issue that has sparked violence and public unrest across the country.
Last week, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, presiding over a single-member bench of the IHC, had ordered the government to establish the commission within 30 days following a petition seeking such an investigation. The judge mandated that the body complete its work within four months, with the option to request an extension if needed.
But that directive was challenged in an intra-court appeal filed by Rao Abdur Rahim, a lawyer with the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan, and others. The appeal was heard on Thursday by a two-judge bench comprising Justices Khadim Hussain Soomro and Azam Khan, who suspended Justice Khan’s order and issued notices to the parties involved.
Advocate Kamran Murtaza, representing Rahim, argued before the court that they had not been granted a full hearing in the initial proceedings. “There are four hundred cases and some cases are beyond the jurisdiction of this court,” Murtaza said. “Can a commission be formed in this case?” He further contended that the court was issuing orders “as though it was above the Supreme Court,” questioning the scope of its authority.
Blasphemy is an incendiary charge in Pakistan, where even unsubstantiated accusations can ignite public outrage and lead to lynchings. Critics have long argued that the laws are prone to misuse, often wielded to settle personal vendettas or target religious minorities.
The proceedings have also drawn attention to the mysterious disappearance of Komal Ismail, a woman identified during last week’s hearing as “Iman.” Justice Khan had expressed concern over her absence, noting her alleged role as a shadowy figure involved in “trapping” individuals accused of blasphemy. Her whereabouts remain unknown, adding a layer of intrigue to the case.
A report published by the government-run National Commission for Human Rights in October last year highlighted the scale of the issue, stating that 767 people, mostly young men, are currently in jail awaiting trial on blasphemy allegations.
Justice Khan’s initial order had been met with optimism by some. Lawyer Imaan Mazari, commenting on the decision last week, called it “a huge ray of hope,” adding, “It’s the first time that the families have felt heard.”
Thursday’s suspension, however, casts uncertainty over the prospect of a formal inquiry into the application of these laws. The court’s decision to halt the formation of the commission underscores the legal and societal complexities surrounding blasphemy in Pakistan, where judicial efforts to address the issue often collide with deeply entrenched sensitivities.
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