Lahore court sends notice to NCCIA over plea for FIR against Fazl following remarks
JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Photo courtesy: JUI/Facebook
Petitions seeking legal action against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his recent remarks regarding Pakistani armed forces and martyrs have started reaching district courts in Punjab, with the courts seeking responses from relevant authorities.
Additional district and sessions judges in Lahore, Gujranwala and other districts are hearing petitions seeking criminal action against the JUI-F chief. The petitioners claim that his remarks insulted the sacrifices made by the armed forces and offended public opinion.
In one such case, a sessions court in Lahore on Wednesday sought a response from the director of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to a petition seeking registration of a criminal case against Fazl over his alleged remarks on the country’s martyrs.
Read: PA president demands apology from JUI-F leader for remarks on martyrs
Additional Sessions Justice Malik Latif issued a notice to the NCCIA Director and adjourned further proceedings until August 17.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer, advocate Mudassar Chaudhry, argued that Fazl had given a controversial speech regarding the country’s martyrs, a video of which was later circulated on social media.
The petitioner contended that the speech had deeply hurt his feelings as well as those of the general public. It was further claimed that these remarks caused anguish to the families of the martyrs and therefore warranted criminal prosecution.
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 law.
According to the petition, although the matter was brought before the relevant authorities, no action was taken, forcing the petitioner to seek court intervention to register a criminal case.
Background
The petitions come in response to remarks made by the JUI-F leader recently at a public rally, where his comments on the country’s armed forces and martyrs drew sharp criticism from political opponents and various quarters.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan publicly condemned the remarks, 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 arouses the anger of ministers
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also criticized Fazl for his remarks on military personnel, calling him “morally insensitive”.
Responding to the JUI-F chief’s statement, Asif said the maulana, as a seasoned politician and a distinguished religious leader, must show greater responsibility in his choice of words.
He stressed that no one gives his life just for a salary, especially at a time when Pakistan continues to wage its war against terrorism.
