LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued a stay order against any adverse action based on the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) report containing recommendations on handling blasphemy cases in Pakistan.
Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz passed the order in response to a petition filed by Sajid Iqbal Lashari, the Information Secretary of Tahafuz-i-Khatam-i-Nabuwat Forum. Lashari challenged certain observations made in the NCHR report, claiming they were misleading.
Advocate Nawaz Sheikh, representing the petitioner, argued that the NCHR report improperly analyzed cases registered under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). He stated that a Special Branch report, previously submitted in court, was misinterpreted by the NCHR as an investigative document when, in reality, it was merely a source report.
He further informed the court that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had also submitted a detailed response, asserting that the Special Branch report held no substantial basis. The FIA’s findings contradicted the claims presented to the NCHR, calling them baseless.
The petitioner’s counsel contended that the NCHR failed to provide an opportunity for a hearing before forming an opinion about individuals, violating legal requirements. He argued that this oversight led to serious prejudice and warranted the report’s dismissal.
Following these arguments, Justice Aziz issued a notice to the NCHR, directing it to submit relevant documents and justifications for its report. The court also restrained any adverse actions from being taken based on the report until further proceedings.
During a subsequent hearing on February 26, Advocate Asad Jamal appeared on behalf of the NCHR, and the court adjourned the case for two weeks.
The NCHR’s 2023-24 report had highlighted procedural violations in blasphemy cases, recommending a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) under the Ministry of Human Rights. The proposed JIT would include officials from the Special Branch, Intelligence Bureau, FIA, and other relevant bodies to ensure fair handling of such cases.
The report also raised concerns about FIA’s role in invoking PPC sections while making arrests, suggesting a review of its practices. Additionally, it urged strict disciplinary measures against FIA officers involved in unlawful arrests or bribery.
Furthermore, the NCHR recommended investigating the recurring pattern of multiple FIRs being filed by the same individuals, particularly in cases involving fake identities and entrapment tactics.
The case remains pending, with the LHC set to review the NCHR’s response in the upcoming hearings.