PCC Lawsuites Against blasphemy Law

After the arrest of dozens of Christians under section 295-B & C of Pakistan Penal Code, subject to death penalty, The PCC decided to challenge the said law in higher courts of law to seek justice when with fear of implication and arrest under this law, christians were completely silent. PCC through the president of Pcc filed a writ petition to repeal blasphemy laws in the Lahore High Courts.

The Writ Petition no 15048/97 in Lahore High Courts, versus, federation of Pakistan through secretary Law and parliamentary affirs,Islam Abad, under Article 199 of the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan,1973, for direction to respondents for making necessary procedural mendments in section 295-c of PPC in the interest of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerence and social justice for promotion of political unity among the citizen of the state and solidarity by creating an egalitarian society and for harmonious environment among the citizen of the state. Praying that in prevailing circumstances its respectfully submitted that instant writ petition may kindly be accepted.

A division Bench of the Lahore High Court comprisinf of Mr. Chief Justice Sheikh Riaz Ahmad And Mr. Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar on july 1,1997, disposed of this writ petition with remarks that this court was not competent to amend or repeal any law maintaining as the blasphemy law under section 295-c PPC has come into effect through the Federal Shariat Court, therefore that court is appropriate forum to take up this matter.

In views of the dismisle of this writ petition in the Lahore High Court the Pakistan Christian Congress central council decided to file writ petition in the Federal Shariat Court Islam Abad.

PCC filed writ petition no 8-1/97 in Federal Shariat Court versus federation Of Pakistan, to repeal section 295-c PPC as the said law
being un islamic and un-contitutional.

Praying that it was felt to great extent, that section 295-c of PPC has created frustration among the citizen of the state and built an iron wall between the communities. It has provided machinery for taking life of innocent citizen in retaliation. even law enforceing agencies have badly faild to afford protection of life and liberty as gauranteed under Article 9 of fundamental rights by the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, ' no person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accorance with law ' Its important that after the filing of this Lawsuite, the government of Pakistan, registerd many false cases against the petitioner and president, PCC, Mr. Nazir S Bhatti, to stop him to present himself in the court hearing.

The said petition was put before the full Bench of Federal Shariat Court and accepted for regular hearing but the hearings never came on being and blasphemy case was registerd against the petitioner to keep the procedings of the court without the presence of the petitioner.

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