ISLAMABAD: The federal government led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has seemingly realised its mistake after filing the contempt of religion cases against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders after the Masjid-e-Nabavi PBUH incident.
A few days ago, an unfortunate incident took place in Masjid-e-Nabavi PBUH in which some Pakistani pilgrims raised slogans and manhandled the PML-N government’s cabinet members including Shahzain Bugti and Marriyum Aurangzeb during Umrah.
The Saudi Arabian government had formally announced arresting five persons who were involved in the sloganeering inside Madinah’s Holy Mosque.
On the other hand, PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry and other leaders including Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rasheed were booked in the contempt of religion cases in Pakistan.
Tariq Jamil, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi condemn desecration of Masjid-e-Nabavi PBUH
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had even hinted at arresting Imran Khan for inciting people to raise anti-government slogans in the Holy Mosque.
Sources said that the Western countries have shown resentment over the move of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government to file the contempt of religion cases against political rivals. They added that Washington and London have apprised their reservations to the PML-N-led federal government.
According to sources, Washington and London had conveyed their concerns to the federal government.
Subsequently, PTI leader and former Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari wrote a letter to the United Nations (UN) over the issue.
Cases filed in Pakistani police stations against Masjid-e-Nabavi PBUH incident
Yesterday, PML-N central leader Musadik Malik said in a press conference that the federal government was not willing to arrest anyone but the PTI was adding fuel to the fire over the issue to become a political martyr.
PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz also tweeted that each individual is answerable to Allah Almighty by himself for his personal deed.
مجھے علم نہیں یہ ڈرامہ آپ کیوں کر رہے ہیں مگر باوجود اسکے کہ عمران خان نے مجھے دو بار جیل میں ڈالا،سزائے موت کی چکی میں رکھا،میں نا کردار کُشی پر یقین رکھتی ہوں نا ذاتی انتقام پر۔انسان کی ذاتی ونجی زندگی اسکا اور اللّہ ربّ العزت کا معاملہ ہے۔برائے مہربانی مجھے اس گند سے دور رکھیے https://t.co/MzJhLrt4NO
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) May 3, 2022
Importantly, the major coalition partner of the PML-N government, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) also expressed his resentment over the registration of the contempt of religion cases against the PTI leaders.
PPP spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said in a statement that the cases against PTI leaders were disturbing, adding that his political party always condemned the religion-focused laws against the political rivals and it will continue to oppose the misuse of the regulations in future as well.
Institution of blasphemy cases against rival PTI leaders is most disturbing. Insane. Condemnable Have opposed weaponisation of religion based laws in past, oppose it now, will oppose in future also. Need to prevent misuse of blasphemy law, not to weaponise it. Urge sanity.
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) May 1, 2022
Analysts said that the PTI was already facing severe backlash over the Masjid-e-Nabavi PBUH incident from the public but the PML-N made the political opponents popular again through the registration of such cases.
They added that the PML-N government has apparently realised its mistake and Musadik Malik expressed the thoughts of the top leadership in his presser.