Amid a campaign targeting Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the Supreme Court clarified that a recent judgment, which led to the release of an individual accused of distributing a banned book, does not advocate the repeal of any of Pakistan’s laws.
In a press release issued, the SC stated that the accused, Mubarak Ahmad Sani, can only be prosecuted under the Pakistan Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1932. The offense carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment, but since the accused had already spent a year in prison, his release was ordered.
The SC emphasized that it did not challenge the definition of a Muslim under the second amendment nor advocate for the repeal of sections penalizing religious crimes. It highlighted that Justice Qazi Faez Isa aimed to align interpretations of laws with Islamic teachings, citing the Quran, the Hadith, and examples of righteous caliphs.
The statement underscored the right to appeal if anyone believes a law or Islamic principle was misinterpreted. Criticism of judgments was acceptable, but organized campaigns against the judiciary and judges could undermine the country’s justice system, the SC cautioned.
During the case proceedings, the chief justice lamented, “Regrettably, in matters of religion, emotions can cloud judgment, and the Quranic principles can be overlooked.“
