Supreme Court
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) expressed its dismay on Thursday over what it termed an “organized campaign” against judges, deeming it “unfortunate.” The court emphasized that directly attacking the judiciary undermined the principle of freedom of expression.
The statement from the top court was prompted by what it referred to as “misreporting” across various media platforms regarding a case whose judgment was issued on February 6, 2024.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, leading a two-member bench with Justice Mussarat Hilali, had issued an order on appeals filed by petitioner Mubarik Ahmad Sani against a Lahore High Court decision.
Sani faced accusations of distributing a proscribed book, Tafseer-e-Sagheer, deemed an offense under the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act of 2021. However, the FIR claimed the act occurred in 2019 when it was not considered an offense.
In addressing the aftermath of the verdict, the SC lamented that cases involving offenses against religion often saw emotions overshadowing facts, and the court’s adherence to Islamic commands was disregarded.
The court noted that misleading reporting across print, social, and electronic media had created confusion, wrongly suggesting that the Supreme Court had deviated from the Constitution’s definition of a Muslim and advocated for the elimination of punishments for religious offenses under the Pakistan Penal Code.
The statement clarified that, in the discussed case, the court observed that even if all the offenses outlined in the FIR were accepted, they did not apply to the petitioner.
The court determined that the Criminal Amendment Act of 1932 would be applicable, imposing a maximum prison sentence of six months. As the petitioner had already served a year in jail, in accordance with the law and Islamic teachings, the suspect was released on bail.
The court’s statement concluded by expressing regret that emotions often overshadowed Islamic teachings in such cases, leading to misunderstandings.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
