Pakistan’s police arrested Zaheerul Hassan Shah, the deputy leader of Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) party, for placing a bounty on Chief Justice Qazi Faez Esa. The arrest was made in Okara, where Hassan Shah had been hiding after announcing the 10-million rupee bounty during a protest outside a press club. The bounty was allegedly placed due to the Chief Justice’s perceived support of the minority Ahmadi community. For details, see Urdu Geo TV.
The Lahore Police charged Hassan Shah under the Anti-Terrorism Act and accused him of religious hatred, rioting, and attempting to pressure the judiciary. The indictment also included charges of contempt of the higher judiciary, interference in government functions, and obstruction of legal duties. Additionally, some 1,500 other TLP members were named in the case.
Chief Justice Esa has been a frequent target of extremist criticism, particularly following the Sindh High Court’s release on bail of an Ahmadi suspect, despite Esa not presiding over the case. The suspect faced accusations under Section 298B of the Pakistan Penal Code for using the title ‘Syed’—a title traditionally reserved for descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. The full story can be read on JURIST.
The arrest highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Ahmadi community in Pakistan. The community has faced severe discrimination following a parliamentary decision to declare them non-Muslims, which was later incorporated into the nation’s Constitution. The UN has consistently voiced concerns over the violence and discrimination against Ahmadis in Pakistan, urging the government to implement measures to protect their rights and ensure justice. More about the UN’s stance can be found at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.