ISLAMABAD  -  Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday remarked that judges’ love for Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is not less than any other Muslim.

How a court could sentence someone if the charges against them could not be proven, the top judge asked. He said all the judges are lovers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) but they are not judges for Muslims alone.

He made these observations in the backdrop of reaction from certain religious parties on the acquittal of Christian woman Aasia Bibi.

Soon after the judgment was announced in the blasphemy case on Wednesday, the activists and workers of religious parties took to the streets across the country.

The law and order situation compelled Prime Minister Imran Khan to address the nation on television, supporting decision of the country’s top court and warning the mischief makers of strict action.

Justice Saqib’s remarks came during the hearing of federal government’s application seeking permission for appointment of a new Inspector General of Police in Islamabad, which the court rejected.

The CJP while heading a three-judge bench observed that he and all the other judges love the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and are ready to sacrifice their lives for his honour. But he said that no court could punish someone in the absence of legitimate proof.

Blasphemy is unacceptable to every Muslim, he said. “Our faith is incomplete without our faith in our Prophet (PBUH),” Justice Saqib remarked. He said that he learned to recognise Almighty Allah through the guidance of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Referring to the judgment on Aasia Bibi, chief justice remarked that they began authoring the judgment with recitation of First Kalma.

The CJP said that the judges recited Darood-e-Pak all the time while hearing the case, then how people could establish a wrong perception against them.

The judges who passed the judgment might have more love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH) than those protesting against the court decision, Justice Saqib said. But love did not mean that even if a case could not be formed it should be made, he added.

The chief justice said that the judgment of Aasia had also been translated in Urdu for better understanding of ordinary citizens. He asked if every person will now have to provide the proof of his faith.

As for the Islamabad IGP case, the court rejected government request for permission to appoint a new inspector general of police in the federal capital.

The bench told the Attorney General for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan to give the charge to second top officer in case of absence of IGP.

Referring to the current situation, the chief justice remarked that the government is responsible for maintaining the law and order situation.

 

Islamabad IGP resumes charge

 

Jan Muhammad on Thursday returned from Malaysia and resumed charge as Islamabad Inspector General of Police following a crisis here in the federal capital. Jan Muhammad had gone to Malaysia for a course.

The presence of Jan Muhammad as IG Islamabad police despite federal government’s opposition and the continuing crisis has gained significance as his role as head of the force would be vital.

The government had removed Jan Muhammad for allegedly not receiving a call of a federal minister which later unleashed a plethora of events.

The government did no longer want to retain Jan Muhammad as IG Islamabad and subsequently Attorney General Anwar Maqsood had filed a petition in this regard in country’s top court where a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar dismissed the plea. Instead, the court suggested the government to appoint a top cop in the capital on an interim basis in view of the current sensitive law and order situation.

However, Jan Mohammad who was in Malaysia on ex-Pakistan leave to attend a course landed in Islamabad early Thursday and resumed the charge of his office as IG Islamabad police. DIG Security Waqar Chohan had been looking after the office of the IGP Islamabad in his absence.

The Interior Ministry had asked Jan Muhammad to return to the country immediately, according to sources.

According to the sources in the police, later in the day, the IG chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the crisis arising out of the sit-in at Faizabad and tense situation in the City. He reviewed the security situation in the Federal capital.

Jan Muhammad has been a central figure in the continuing crisis, as he will have to lead the action if the government and the protesters fail to resolve the crisis amicably.

Islamabad police was criticised for an ill-planned crackdown against the TLYR protesters at Faizabad in 2017.

 

Court cannot punish  anyone without proof: CJP

 

 

SYED SABEEHUL HUSSNAIN