Lahore (Web Desk): Police have arrested Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Deputy emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah from Okara for issuing threats to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and inciting violence against judiciary.
According to police, the TLP leader was hiding at an unknown location in Okara when he was taken into custody.
The case was registered against Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah at the Qila Gujjar Singh police station.
The TLP leader has been booked under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for inciting religious hatred, causing public disorder, intimidating the judiciary, threatening the judiciary, and interfering in official affairs.
As per the First Information Report (FIR), the TLP leader during a protest outside Lahore Press Club provoked people against judiciary and announced a reward of Rs10 million for anyone who kills chief justice of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the federal government has announced taking stern action against people involved in threating the top judge of the country.
Addressing a news conference alongside Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad, Khawaja Asif regretted that an attempt is being made to spread bloodshed in the name of religion for vested political interests.
He said believing in the finality of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is part of our faith. He said the Supreme Court (SC) has already clarified its position on the matter.
The minister pointed out that Qazi Faez Isa is being targeted for many years under various pretexts.
He stated there is an ongoing effort to silence a principled and upright voice within the judiciary.
Emphasizing the need for the rule of law, Khawaja Asif stated that the dictation of any individual or group will not be accepted.
Condemning the propaganda campaign against the CJP, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal asserted that individuals or groups who sow seeds of hatred in the name of religion for their own petty political interests should be rejected. He emphasized that no one will be permitted to issue murder fatwas.
Later, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar here on Monday said that the state would respond to the malicious campaign against the CJP and no one would be allowed to decree religious notions against anyone.
It is the responsibility of the state to impose laws in the country, he said adding that belief in the finality of the Prophet (SAAW) remained an essential part of Islam without which no one could claim to be a Muslim.
The minister said this in a press conference after attending a meeting with Ulema, in the Commissioner Office.
