ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today extended its order suspending the opinion of the Islamic Ideology Council (IIC) that declared Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza guilty of blasphemy. The court also directed the attorney general to assist the IHC at the next hearing. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard a petition of Aslam Khaki, who challenged the council’s opinion.
However, the attorney general did not appear before the bench despite earlier directions.
The court insists on the attorney general’s appearance
During the proceedings, Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghuman informed the court that the attorney general could not attend due to prior commitments and suggested that the additional attorney general could appear instead. Justice Kayani rejected the request and emphasized that the attorney general must personally assist the court because of the sensitive legal questions involved. The assistant attorney general then requested a new date for the attorney general’s appearance. Consequently, the court adjourned the hearing until April 7 while extending the suspension order.
Case background and legal charges
Authorities initially detained Engineer Mirza on August 27 under the Maintenance of Public Order and later transferred him to jail before handing him over to the Federal Investigation Agency after police registered a blasphemy case. The FIR alleged that a video uploaded on Mirza’s YouTube channel contained offensive remarks and misinterpretation of religious content. Police registered charges under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. These provisions carry severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.
Mirza, who has more than three million YouTube subscribers, also heads the Qur’an-o-Sunnat Research Academy in Jhelum, which local authorities have sealed without issuing an official explanation. He has faced similar allegations in the past, including cases in 2020 and 2023, both of which later resulted in bail or withdrawal of charges.
Blasphemy cases remain highly sensitive in Pakistan, and human rights groups continue to urge authorities to prevent misuse of the law while ensuring due process and legal safeguards.
