Lawyers in Mansehra not to plead cases of blasphemy accused

MANSEHRA: The District Bar Association has unanimously passed a resolution barring its members from appearing in cases of people accused of blasphemy or desecration of the Holy Quran in the court of law.

“The district bar association, in an emergency session requisitioned by lawyers, unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that its members from appear before any court on behalf of those accused of committing blasphemy or desecrating the Quran,” Advocate Shahjehan Khan Swati, the president of the District Bar Association, told reporters on Sunday.

The session, held under Swati’s chairmanship, considered and approved resolutions presented by senior lawyers Musawar Aslam Tanoli and Azhar Sajjad.“These resolutions called for a formal restriction on lawyers representing individuals accused of blasphemy or desecration of the Holy Quran,” Swati said, adding “Motion is adopted unanimously, with no member voicing opposition.”

According to the resolution, no member of the District Bar Association is permitted to advocate for or represent individuals accused of blasphemy, desecration of the Quran, or insulting the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) companions (Sahaba-e-Karam) and family (Ahl-e-Bait).Swati further said that the lawyers’ community held a detailed debate on the issue before arriving at its approval.