NA panel to study SC verdict in Mubarak Sani case

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians from government and opposition benches in the National Assembly on Tuesday expressed reservations on the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Mubarak Sani case after which Speaker Ayaz Sadiq referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice to examine the decision and come up with an opinion.

The speaker said a notice for participation in the meeting of the standing committee be issued to all members. “The committee should continue its proceedings till the issue is concluded,” he said and directed the committee chairman to convene a meeting on Wednesday (today).

Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar agreed that the issue be referred to the committee which should come up with an opinion whether to go for a review petition or opt for any legislation.

He said that if required, the Supreme Court of Pakistan could interpret the Constitution but could not re-write it. Sahibzada Hamid Raza is right in saying that the apex or high courts can interpret the Constitution but cannot re-write the Constitution, change its shape or give a new colour to the clauses of the Constitution.

The law minister suggested the SC verdict in the Mubarak Sani case could also be examined by the Business Advisory Committee of the House or the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice. Referring to the opinion of Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, he said the parliament as legislative body could change a court verdict through legislation. “We can find a way-out to the issue through proper legislation or resolution,” he said, adding that it could not be tolerated that an individual gave calls for murdering personalities like the chief justice of Pakistan.

“There should be zero tolerance on this matter,” he said. The Law minister said that to believe in oneness of Almighty Allah and Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (SAW) was very much part of the faith of every Muslim.

Opposition member Sahibzada Hamid Raza, who raised the issue in the House on a point of order, said according to the Punjab Qur’an Board Act, a non-Muslim could not publish copies of the Holy Qur’an or make any distortion in it. He said all courts rejected the appeals of Mubarak Sani who committed distortion in the Holy Qur’an, but the apex court first accepted his bail plea and then acquitted him of committing a crime under Section 298-C. He said the SC verdict amounted to re-writing the Constitution of Pakistan.

Ayaz Sadiq said there could not be two opinions on the dignity and respect of the Holy Prophet (SAW). Hanif Abbasi of the PMLN said running factories of decrees could not be allowed. He called for constitution of a parliamentary committee to take up the issue. Ali Muhammad Khan of the PTI said the decision of the supreme court had created ambiguity. “We demand that the government and the Supreme Court fulfill their responsibilities and clear the ambiguity.”

He also proposed formation of a parliamentary committee to continue its working till the supreme court reviews its verdict. He agreed with the Law minister that no person could be given the authority to issues decrees to murder any individual.

Abdul Qadar Patel said Fitna was being spread in the name of human rights by the western world, adding “They (Ahmadis) misguide the western world that their rights are being violated. The parliament should give a loud and clear message to the the western world that Ahmadis use the copyrights of Muslims. The issue of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (SAW) has been decided once and for all and the same should not be discussed anymore.” Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said the issue of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (SAW) was decided once and for all. “I want to ask the Supreme Court of Pakistan how it went to re-write the Constitution,” he said, adding that the House should give a message to the Supreme Court of Pakistan that it could not issue such verdicts. He said emotions run high in this situation and people take extreme steps if the parliament and state do not fulfill their responsibilities.