The Supreme Court of Pakistan came under attack by Islamist mobs on Thursday following a controversial ruling by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The ruling, which granted an Ahmadi man charged with blasphemy the right to practice his religion, sparked outrage among extremist groups, leading to widespread unrest in the country.
The mobs, driven by anger and religious fervor, stormed the premises of the Supreme Court, breaching Islamabad’s highly secured Red Zone.
The attackers demanded the resignation of Chief Justice Isa, accusing him of blasphemy. The situation escalated quickly as the protestors overran security barriers, forcing their way to the entrance gates of the Supreme Court.
The attack on the judiciary highlights the precarious situation of religious minorities in Pakistan, where even the judicial affirmation of religious freedom can incite violent reactions from extremist factions.
The situation remains tense as authorities attempt to restore order in the capital.
Judicial Ruling Sparks Controversy
The unrest was triggered by a ruling from a three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The bench partially accepted review petitions in the Mubarak Sani case, affirming that members of the Ahmadi community have the right to profess and proliferate their religion.
However, the ruling stipulated that Ahmadis must refrain from publicly using Muslim terms or introducing themselves as Muslims.
The decision was met with immediate backlash from hardline Islamist groups, who view the Ahmadi community as heretical.
In Pakistan, where the Parliament declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims in 1974, the community faces severe restrictions, including a ban on preaching and travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage.
The Chief Justice’s ruling, perceived by many extremists as an affront to Islamic principles, intensified the already existing religious tensions in the country.
The situation reached a boiling point when Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a hardline Islamist party known for its violent protests, openly condemned the ruling and called for action against the Chief Justice.
Threats and Arrests Amid Rising Tensions
The situation took a dangerous turn when a bounty was placed on Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s life. Extremist leaders accused him of blasphemy, a charge that carries severe consequences in Pakistan.
The threats against the Chief Justice underscore the volatile nature of religious issues in the country and the risks faced by those who challenge the status quo.
In a related development, authorities arrested Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Deputy Emir Pir Zaheerul Hasan Shah last month in Okara city, located in the eastern Punjab province.
Shah had gone into hiding after inciting violence against Chief Justice Isa. His arrest marked a significant move by the government to curb the influence of extremist groups, although the situation remains far from resolved.
The attack on the Supreme Court and the subsequent unrest underscore the deep-rooted religious tensions in Pakistan. Despite being a majority Muslim country, Pakistan’s minorities, including Ahmadis, Hindus, and Christians, frequently face harassment and violence at the hands of extremists.
According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in 2021, Ahmadis make up just 0.09% of the population, while Muslims constitute 96.47%.
The recent events highlight the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan and the dangers of extremism that threaten the country’s stability.
As the government and security forces work to restore order, the need for a more inclusive and tolerant society becomes increasingly apparent.
The attack on the judiciary is a stark reminder of the fragile state of religious freedom in Pakistan and the lengths to which extremist groups will go to enforce their rigid interpretations of faith.
