Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah, the naib emir of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), has been arrested from Okara.
Police claimed that they arrested Zaheerul Hasan Shah while he was hiding at an undisclosed location in Okara. Earlier in the day, a case was registered against Shah in Lahore for allegedly threatening the chief justice of Pakistan.
The case was lodged at Qila Gujar Singh police station under the Anti-Terrorism Act for threatening Justice Qazi Faez Isa and obstructing government business. The first information report also includes charges related to religious hatred and incitement to violence.
The FIR state that Shah spread hatred against the supreme judiciary during a recent protest outside the press club.
According to reports, Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah and around 1,500 TLP workers have been booked in the case for spreading hatred against the Supreme Court. The complaint, filed by SHO Hammad Hussain, details Shah's inflammatory remarks made during the demonstration.
Two more cases were registered against TLP leaders for threatening the superior judiciary. In Okara, a case was registered against a senior TLP official and 10 unidentified persons over threatening messages. According to the police, the names of 10 unidentified people, including ticket holder Arif Rizvi, have been included in the case.
Also Read: Chief justice being targeted for long, state won't allow murder fatwas: Asif
Moreover, a case was also registered in Faisalabad's Rail Bazaar police station against the TLP division emir and 600 to 700 other workers in the case of death threats to the chief justice of Pakistan.
On the other hand, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the chief justice of Pakistan was being targeted for a long time, adding that the state will not allow anyone to issue murder fatwas.
During a press conference with Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad, Khawaja Asif said that a group had launched a very outrageous, baseless propaganda. "It won't be enough, no matter how much the propaganda is criticised," he remarked.
He said the CJP was discussed a lot, but it was repeatedly explained that he had nothing to do with any controversial decision or statement. Despite the explanation of the Supreme Court, the propaganda based on lies continued. "Everyone knows why the chief justice is being targeted," he claimed.
"The state will respond with full force to illegal actions and death threats. The state will not accept dictation in the name of religion, politics and personal interests. Rule of law and justice should prevail in the country," he added.
He said Justice Isa was being targeted since the Faizabad sit-in. "After the Faizabad sit-in decision, a reference was filed against Justice Isa. He gave a constitutional and legal decision regarding the sit-in. The state will take full action over the fatwa against the chief justice," he insisted.
On this occasion, Ahsan Iqbal said that the foundation of the faith of Muslims is the end of Prophethood, adding that no group is allowed to issue murder fatwas. "A revolt against the Constitution was announced by releasing a video against the chief justice. The judiciary is the main pillar of the state," he remarked.
