Justice Najamul Hasan of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday directed the counsel for Malik Ishaq, a leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, formerly known as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, to make his final arguments on his client’s bail petition on July 26. The counsel for the petitioner has argued that the police have registered two baseless FIRs against his client.
An investigation officer from Bhakkar police told the court that FIRs had been registered against Ishaq on August 8, 2012, and February 2, 2013, for delivering provocative speeches at public gatherings.
He said that Ishaq had tried to spread hatred and create unrest in the area. He was arrested three months ago and is currently in jail, the officer said.
The judge asked the counsel for the petitioner to complete his arguments at the next hearing on Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2013.