SC disposes of Lal Masjid case over govt’s assurance to rebuild Jamia Hafsa

SC disposes of Lal Masjid case over govt’s assurance to rebuild Jamia Hafsa

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court disposed of a suo motu case regarding the Lal Masjid after receiving an assurance from the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) that the Jamia Hafsa seminary would be reconstructed.

A two-member bench of the apex court comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Yahya Afridi heard the case regarding extra judicial killings of innocent persons in the premises of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa.

During the course of proceedings, AGP Anwar Mansoor Khan assured the court of the construction of the seminary, and said that administratively, it would fall under the government’s control.

Advocate Tariq Asad, counsel for Lal Masjid cleric Moulana Abdul Aziz, said the case was not about one plot, but linked to various matters.

Justice Gulzar asked Asad to apprise the court of what angles of the case had been overlooked, to which the lawyer was unable to furnish an adequate response.

During the hearing, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Advocate Tariw Asad exchanged hot words.

Asad said he was not arguing the case just to pass the time. Upon this Justice Gulzar expressed his displeasure.    Justice Yahya Afridi advised the lawyer to sit and wait for his turn to be heard.

The apex court subsequently wrapped up the suo motu case on the government’s assurances.

Except for a constitutional petition concerning the Lal Masjid operation, all other miscellaneous applications filed in the case during over 11 years were also disposed of.

 APP