Incitement to violence

According to reports published on Monday, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Vice Emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah has been arrested after being booked for inciting violence against Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. An FIR was lodged in Lahore against Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah and 1,500 party workers for issuing death threats to the chief justice. The FIR includes provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and those related to spreading religious hatred and anarchy, pressuring and threatening the higher judiciary, interference in state affairs, obstructing in performance of legal duties and others. The case refers to a speech made by Shah during a protest rally outside the Lahore Press Club during a demonstration against the Supreme Court verdict in the Mubarak Sani bail case. The verdict was originally misreported, after which it was used to target the CJP on social media as well as being weaponized by religious groups. This was despite the clarification issued by the SC regarding the verdict in question.

Such incitement to violence is not isolated but is part of a broader pattern of extremist rhetoric and actions that threaten the fabric of our society and rule of law. Encouragingly, the government has stood on the side of the chief justice. From Attaullah Tarar to Azam Tarar and from Ahsan Iqbal to Khawaja Asif, the message from the government is clear: the state will not accept dictation aimed towards securing personal interests in the name of politics and/or religion but will enforce law and order as per the constitution. The use of religion to target the judiciary, particularly a figure as prominent as CJP Isa, is an attack on the very foundation of justice and governance. The judiciary must be able to operate without fear of retribution or violence, and threats against its members cannot be tolerated. In a media talk on Monday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the state would not allow anyone to issue a fatwa calling for someone’s murder.

This messaging by the government was much needed because it is not just about CJP Isa but about each and every Pakistani’s life. When such a malicious campaign can be run against the sitting chief justice, there is hardly any hope for common citizens. We have seen how decades of appeasing such elements have led to disastrous consequences. When the state and political parties do not take a stand or actually indulge in such propaganda against opponents, it leads to extreme intolerance in society as well. This trend has to stop. The state needs to put its foot down when it comes to hate speech, incitement to violence and malicious propaganda endangering people’s lives. It is imperative also for religious scholars and leaders to play a proactive role in guiding the nation by unequivocally denouncing violence and the misuse of religion for political purposes. The threats to CJP Isa are a stark reminder of the challenges Pakistan faces in upholding rule of law and maintaining social harmony. The state must continue to take decisive action against those who seek to undermine these principles. This includes not only legal action against individuals inciting violence but also broader efforts to counter extremist ideologies and promote a culture of tolerance and respect. Pakistan’s future depends on its ability to uphold justice, protect its institutions, and foster a society where differences are resolved through dialogue and respect, not violence and intimidation.