ISLAMABAD - Taking suo motu notice of the burning of a Christian couple in Kot Radha Krishan, Chief Justice of Pakistan Nasirul Mulk on Saturday directed the Punjab police to submit a report within three days.
A violent mob on November 4 attacked Shahzad Masih and his wife Shama in the jurisdiction of Kot Radha Kishan police station after a Muslim co-worker at the brick kiln accused them of defiling the holy Quran. The mobs tortured them to death with wooden clubs and hatchets and, later, threw their bodies into the kiln.
The chief justice also ordered the federal government to submit a report on the implementation of the apex court judgment on the protection of minorities in Pakistan. Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, former SC chief justice, on June 19 this year had delivered the judgment.
On non-compliance with the verdict, the SC on November 11 sought reports from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, provincial chief ministers and other concerned departments.
The Supreme Court, in its June 19 verdict, had asked the Centre to constitute a national council with the mandate to frame policy recommendations for safeguarding and protecting minorities’ rights by the federal and provincial governments.
The court also directed the government to form a special task force for the protection of worship places of minorities. The apex court also asked the government to develop appropriate curricula at school and college level to promote religious tolerance in the country.