LHC summons PM, CM for hearing of plea against ‘altered’ Quran publication

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has summoned Caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Anwaarul Haq and Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi on December 18 for the hearing of a petition against the publication of an ‘altered’ Quran, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

The court has directed that the federal and provincial governments take concrete steps before the next hearing.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan issued a written order on the petitions of Amir Muawiya and others.

According to the text of the court order, a report should be submitted after implementing the court order at the next hearing.

The court order should also be sent by fax to the principal secretaries to the PM and the CM.

No Terms of Reference (TORs) have been finalised for the committee formed in the policy statement of the PM and the CM.

The court order also said that the response of the federal and Punjab governments regarding the publication of the Holy Quran was ambiguous.

It added that the statements of the attorney general and the Punjab advocate general could not be accepted as the policy statements of the PM and the CM.

“According to the policy statement of the PM and the CM submitted to the court, it was agreed in the October 15 meeting of the PM and the CM to form a committee of all departments concerned within seven days,” it stated.

It also said that all directions given in the court order would be implemented in letter and spirit, adding that the committee formed by the federal and provincial governments would send a report to the attorney general and Punjab advocate general every fortnight.

It stated that the court would be informed on a monthly basis about the steps taken regarding the publication of the Quran.

The next hearing of the case will be held on December 18, 2023.