Senior TLP leader arrested for issuing murder fatwa against Chief Justice

Lahore police arrested Senior TLP leader Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah for issuing a murder fatwa against Chief Justice Qazi Faez Issa. The leader in custody is also the vice president of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

His arrest came after SHO Hammad Hussain registered an FIR against him under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He filed an FIR at Qila Gujar Singh police station, Lahore.

There are also charges of religious hatred and inciting bloodshed while making death threats against Justice Qazi and getting in the way of government work.

According to sources, Pir Zaheer and about 1,500 other TLP workers are facing charges of inciting violence towards CJ Qazi.

However, this legal action against Pir Zaheer came in the aftermath of his yesterday’s murder fatwa against CJ Qazi. He addressed a rally outside Lahore Press Club on June 28, 2024. He issued a murder fatwa against CJ Qazi in exchange for 10 million rupees.

Pir Zaheer issued this fatwa regarding a verdict issued by CJ Qazi in the Mubarak Sani case. This verdict came after hearing a petition from Mubarak for bail.

Justice Qazi Faez Isa first granted Mubarak bail but later turned down this decision. And retained his conviction following a review petition from the Punjab government against his bail.

This also led to rage and anger from religious parties including JUIF, Mili Yakjehti Council Pakistan (MYC), Wafaqul Madaris-ul-Arabiya (WMA), and TLP.

According to them, this verdict has also hurt the sentiments of the nation. This decision is against Shariah as Mubarak couldn’t publish Islamic content.

It is significant to note that Mubarak is serving a jail sentence for publishing and distributing a banned book named “Tafseer-i-Sagheer” by the Punjab Government. It was a violation under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act enforced in 2021.

Qazi Faiz Isa has scattered the law. JUI has announced nationwide protests on Friday against the Supreme Court's decision in the Mubarak Sani case.
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Hence, Pir Zaheer like some other religious parties cursed CJ Qazi Faez due to their natural bond with Islam against Mubarak being allegedly a Qaddiyani figure.

However, Lahore police arrested senior leader TLP leader Pir Zaheer after he went into hiding in Okara following state action.

Meanwhile, Federal Ministers Khwaja Asif and Ahsan Iqbal also said the state won’t allow murder fatwas against CJ. It will also take strict action against those responsible for spreading religious hatred and violence.