Islamabad- Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved judgment on the appeal plea filed by Mumtaz Qadri, against his conviction in former governor Punjab Suleman Taseer murder case.

A 2-member bench of IHC comprising Justice Noor ul Haq N Qureshi and Justice Shaukat Aziz took up the appeal plea for hearing today. Justice (Retd) Mian Nazir Akhtar counsel for Mumtaz Qadri, petitioner argued that former governor Salman Taseer was liable to be awarded harshest punishment for committing blasphemy, if the statements given by him in which he had called blasphemy act, a black law are reviewed in perspective of Islamic teachings.

Citing to PLD-1992 Supreme Court Hakim Khan case he said, harshest punishment could be awarded to former governor Salman Taseer for indulging in blasphemy. “I hope court will give relief to my client as per Quran and Sunnah and Islamic teachings.”

He further told the court that what Salman Taseer had said in blasphemy is part of record of print and electronic media. Advocate General (AG) Mian Abdul Rauf argued Mumtaz Qadri arrested in former governor Punjab murder case was convicted by trial court because he had killed Salman Taseer for the reason that latter had indulged in blasphemy.

The court inquired from Mian Abdul Rauf how would he present conviction of Mumtaz Qadri by trial court in terms of law and constitution. Has the punishment awarded to him is in conformity with law and constitution.

The court remarked “this has also found way to the newspapers that sweets were distributed by the people when Suleman Taseer was murdered.” AG Mian Abdul Rauf told the court there is no evidence available on rejoicing over the punishment and nor any record is there in this respect.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui remarked “Mumtaz Qadri has been charge- sheeted under article 295-C. How he will explain it in his arguments.” AG told the court former governor Salman Taseer had called blasphemy law a black law. No Muslim is entitled to call blasphemy law as black law.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui inquired from Mian Abdul Rauf “will he like to give any other arguments in defense of Suleman Taseer. Has he any other evidence which can be presented in the court.” He told the court Chief Justice (Retd) Lahore high court and Justice (Retd) Mian Nazir Akhtar had given their arguments on behalf of the petitioner. Now it falls in the ambit of court how it decides the case. The court while reserving the judgment on Mumtaz Qadri appeal plea adjourned the hearing of the case indefinitely.