Petition filed against Governor for support to Asia Bibi
LAHORE: A petition has been filed before the Lahore High Court against Punjab Governor Salman Taseer for his support and effort for the release of Christian lady, Asia Bibi, who has been condemned by the trial court Nankana on the charges of blasphemy.
The petitioner, Shahid Iqbal, a local advocate, has prayed that the proceedings carried out by the Punjab government, the Punjab governor and the federal law ministry to get Asia Bibi acquitted of the blasphemous charge when her offence stands proved under the law, may be declared illegal, unlawful and without lawful authority.
The petitioner, represented by a seven-member panel of lawyers, has further prayed that the personal secretary to the governor be directed to explain under what authority of law the governor has given the statement declaring the convict innocent. He submitted the secretary be further directed to ensure that no further interference is done from the office of governor in this matter.
The petitioner urged the court the matter was pending before the court of law and all inquiry committees constituted by the federal and provincial governments may very kindly be declared illegal and their proceedings may be suspended.
The petitioner further urged the court for a direction to the federal government not to take any decision on the appeal of Asia Bibi submitted at the behest of governor, adding the federal government be directed to remove the governor from his office for allegedly interfering in a matter pending before the court.
The petitioner submitted that according to the FIR under section 295-C of PPC registered against Asia, she had uttered derogatory remarks against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He said after being tried by a competent court she was sentenced to death penalty with a fine of Rs100,000.
He said after the announcement of the death sentence, the governor visited district jail Sheikhupura to see her following which he claimed that he had found Asia innocent after perusal of her record and got a mercy appeal signed by her for its onward submission to president of Pakistan.
He said the governor used insulting language towards the provision of section 295-C of PPC. He said the Punjab and federal governments also announced to set up inquiry committees so that the actual and real facts of the case could come into light. He said as the matter of Asia was sub judice and at this stage giving such remarks by the governor speaks volumes about his malafide intentions in the matter.
He said such moves of the governments depicted that rulers of the federal and the provincial governments had no confidence in courts of law rather they depend on their own personal opinions and inquiry committees, which amounts to contempt of court.
Source: The Nation
Date:11/28/2010
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