Lahore court issues notice to NCCIA over filing FIR against Fazl for his comments
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JUI-F chief. Photo courtesy: JUI/Facebook
Petitions seeking legal action against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his recent comments on Pakistan’s armed forces and martyrs have started reaching district courts across Punjab, with courts seeking responses from relevant authorities.
Other district and sessions judges in Lahore, Gujranwala and other districts are hearing petitions seeking criminal proceedings against the JUI-F chief. The petitioners allege that his comments were offensive to the sacrifices of the armed forces and had hurt public sentiment.
In one such case, a Lahore court on Wednesday sought a response from the director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to a petition seeking registration of a criminal case against Fazl for his alleged comments on the country’s martyrs.
Read: PA spokesperson demands apology from JUI-F head for comments on martyrs
Additional Sessions Judge Malik Latif issued notice to NCCIA director and adjourned further proceedings till August 17.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Mudassar Chaudhry, argued that Fazl had delivered a controversial speech on the country’s martyrs, a video of which was later circulated on social media.
The petitioner claimed that the speech had deeply hurt his feelings and those of the general public. It was further held that the comments had caused distress to the families of the martyrs and therefore warranted criminal action.
The petition asked the court to direct the relevant authorities to register an FIR against the JUI-F chief and proceed against him in accordance with the law.
According to the petition, despite having raised the matter with the relevant authorities, no action had been initiated, forcing the petitioner to seek the court’s intervention to register a criminal case.
Background
The requests arise from statements made recently by the head of the JUI-F during a public meeting, where his comments about the armed forces and the country’s martyrs generated strong criticism from political opponents and various sectors.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan publicly condemned the comments, demanded that the JUI-F chief apologize to the nation and maintained that no one should be allowed to undermine the sacrifices of Pakistan’s martyrs.
Read also: Fazl’s remark provokes the ire of ministers
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also slammed Fazl for his comments on military personnel, describing them as “morally insensitive”.
Responding to the JUI-F chief’s statement, Asif said the maulana, as an experienced politician and distinguished religious leader, was expected to exercise greater responsibility in his choice of words.
He stressed that no one gives his life simply for a salary, particularly at a time when Pakistan continues to fight a war against terrorism.
