ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday reserved its decision on a petition seeking to suspend the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in the Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza case.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case, during which the CII submitted an incomplete response. The court directed the council to provide a full reply and clarify its jurisdiction.
The judge questioned whether the CII is an advisory body and who had approached it for the opinion. He noted that any action could set a new precedent in the country, emphasizing that Parliament is an independent institution.
The court also asked if the council can issue opinions to anyone other than the legislature, the president, or a provincial governor. Council officials said the chairman’s appointment has not yet been made and requested more time to submit a detailed reply. They confirmed a recommendation for the new appointment had been sent and is expected soon.
The court adjourned the hearing until December 4.
In a related development, Lahore’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) sent 50 workers of a banned religious party to jail for an identification parade in cases related to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism. ATC Administrative Judge Manzer Ali Gill conducted the proceedings following a police request.
Meanwhile, 22 other accused who had been in police custody on physical remand were produced before the court upon completion of their remand period and were sent to jail on judicial remand.
Police said the accused were allegedly involved in attacks on officers, arson, violent riots, and an assault on Shahdara Police Station. Cases were registered at Shahdara, Nawan Kot, and other police stations in Lahore.
Those sent to jail for the identification parade included Muhammad Ijaz, Mohsin Akbar, Muhammad Abdullah, Ali Raza, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Nauman, Muhammad Ashraf, Mehndi Hasan, Muhammad Umar Shahid, and Muhammad Hasnain.
Its strange that Pakistan court system and law enforcement see no problem in keeping a man – who by definition of law is innocent until proven guilty – behind bars for extended period of time just because CII is unable to explain its position on something they have already deliberated a came to a conclusion. I think if any party who delays justice is also required to be behind bars, the speed of their response will increase significantly.