News Analysis |
The Punjab government has decided to challenge the decision of the Lahore High Court (LHC) to grant bail to Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi. Rizvi was booked for launching violent protests against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi last year. The TLP chief not only threatened the judges of the apex courts but also urged the armed forces to revolt against the army chief.
Punjab government has argued that the high court “did not fulfill legal requirements” in its decision to grant bail, which was made in May this year. The petition stated that there was enough evidence against the TLP chief and urged the top court to nullify the high court’s verdict.
The apex court made it clear that there was no sufficient evidence to convict Aasia bibi who has now left the country.
The appeal was submitted in the Supreme Court Registrar’s Office and will be heard in the Lahore registry by a two-member bench headed by Justice Manzoor Ahmed Malik on July 18. Rizvi and TLP patron-in-chief Pir Afzal Qadri — who is also nominated in the same case — were granted bail in May this year.
Qadri’s bail expired on July 15 but was extended on medical grounds. It is worth noting here that Qadari has quitted from the party and has issued a public apology for inciting violence against the state institutions.
Read more: Who is Khadim Hussain Rizvi?
Moreover, Civil Lines police had registered the FIR under Sections 290, 291, 353, 427, 186 and 188 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Section 6 of the Sound System Punjab Ordinance 2015 and Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 after the TLP leaders led violent protests against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi in a concocted blasphemy case. The apex court made it clear that there was no sufficient evidence to convict Aasia bibi who has now left the country.
The Rise of TLP
The TLP organized a sit-in in Faizabad to protest against the government’s alleged involvement in modifying Khatm-e-Nabuwat [finality of Prophet-hood] clause in the Elections Bill 2017. The then law minister Zahid Hamid had to resign after the assurance that no Fatwa would be issued against him.
The apex court made it clear that there was no sufficient evidence to convict Aasia bibi who has now left the country.
The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) submitted a report to the SC during the days of the sit in. Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa were hearing the Suo Motu notice of the disturbance to public life due to the sit-in at Faizabad. In the report, the ISI told the SC that the sit-in was politically motivated and had political interests.
“The Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah is determined to exploit the situation and gain political mileage to gain support for the next general elections,” said a six-page order issued by a two-judge bench consisting of Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Qazi Faez Isa. “To keep the participants of the sit-in engaged and charged, the leadership of the protesters resorted to delivering provocative speeches,” the ISI report read.
Read more: Will Khadim Hussain Rizvi be granted bail?
Rizvi is “Reportedly Corrupt”: Reports ISI
The ISI submitted a comprehensive report to the SC and declared Khadim Rizvi as “reportedly corrupt”. Rizvi has been also listed as being “arrogant” with his superiors, “harsh” with his subordinates, and “committed” to his cause. It has also been stated that Rizvi is “reportedly corrupt” particularly when it comes to financial matters.
The report further notes how he has shown an inclination towards misuse of power, the authorities, and resources. It is yet to be seen how the court and the present government deals with him. The apex court shall determine whether the decision to grant bail to Rizvi was legally correct or not.