Hate speech: Former ASWJ Pindi president sentenced to jail for 6 months

E-Paper | May 26, 2026

RAWALPINDI: An Anti-Terrorism Court on Monday sentenced former Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Rawalpindi president Mufti Tanveer to six months in prison for hate speech.

Earlier this year, the ASWJ leader was arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Department which had registered a First-Information Report under Section 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act against Tanveer for hate speech. He was later granted bail in the case.

Sections 8 and 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act:

Section 8: Prohibition of acts intended or likely to stir up sectarian hatred

- Section 9: Punishment for offence under section 8.

Justice Asif Majeed today sentenced Mufti Tanveer to six months in prison and ordered him to pay a Rs50,000 fine.

The accused was arrested from court and will be imprisoned in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail.

Mufti Tanveer is on CTD Punjab's most wanted list and was previously taken into custody by Rangers after weapons without licenses were recovered from him and eight others.

Also read: Among murderers: A look inside Adiala Jail

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Zubair

Oct 05, 2015 11:26am

What did he say to land him in such trouble?

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Abu Mohammed

Oct 05, 2015 11:26am

Excellent!

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Aa2544

Oct 05, 2015 11:27am

Six months only, put him behind bars for minimum of 6 years

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sarmad

Oct 05, 2015 11:45am

He is on CTD Punjab's most wanted list, was previously taken into custody by Rangers after weapons without licenses were recovered from him. He was delivering hate speeches that could potentially incite fanatics to kill. And all he gets is six months in prison, wondering if people like these should be allowed to operate freely in 21st century!

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Tariq

Oct 05, 2015 11:45am

A step in the right direction for developing a tolerant solciety. We need to see more of it.

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mba

Oct 05, 2015 11:51am

Right decision to punish the accused (if he delivered a hate speech). The words are magical creatures. They tend to become realities after some time. So, it is essential to stop wrong words being spread in this world.

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Atif Khan

Oct 05, 2015 12:02pm

Now, finally we are witnessing a return to Quaid-e-azam's Pakistan - where "people can freely go to their churches, temples and mosques". A Pakistan where the majority does not subject the minority to tyrany.

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Wali

Oct 05, 2015 12:11pm

How can one be on CTD's "most wanted" list and only be charged for hate speech?!

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Haris Kayani

Oct 05, 2015 12:11pm

Govt. must deal strictly with any kind of hate against any community. We need a tolerant society which grantee the prosperous country.

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Rao

Oct 05, 2015 12:16pm

What happened about illegal weapons?

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Aisha Umar

Oct 05, 2015 12:41pm

At last these fanatics are under some law. Still the fine of just 50,000/- and 6 month imprisonment seems not enough.

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Shakeel Ahmed

Oct 05, 2015 12:42pm

This is just too meek. In the meantime he will enjoy all the benefits in the prison and come out a hero and much louder.

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Dr.Arshad

Oct 05, 2015 12:58pm

@ Tariq agreed. Such characters will have no audience in Pakistan in coming decades.

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Riaz Murtaza

Oct 05, 2015 01:05pm

Good job. No hate speech by any.

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think_then_speak

Oct 05, 2015 01:16pm

too little...

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Parvez

Oct 05, 2015 01:17pm

Guess who's really intimidated ?

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Shazad

Oct 05, 2015 01:25pm

Justice has really been won from injustice today, it would really be good impact on society of Justice System.

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Aisha Umar

Oct 05, 2015 01:31pm

At last these fanatics are under some law. Still the fine of just 50,000/- and 6 month imprisonment seems not enough.

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Harmony-1

Oct 05, 2015 01:38pm

Good work, Pakistan curbing this and taking all steps for its war on terror. Perhaps similar laws are needed for right-wing Hindutava groups in our neighbour too!

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Hussain Rehber

Oct 05, 2015 02:03pm

Excellent... ...

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Naved

Oct 05, 2015 02:27pm

Extreme nature of religious hate speeches have been freely on in Pakistan for at least last 25 years. Now the government and law enforcers have waken up. Too little too late. A lot of damage has been done due to spreading of hate literature and hate speeches. DO MORE.

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Ali

Oct 05, 2015 02:56pm

And blacklist him and don't allow him to address any gathering in the future.

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MAlvi

Oct 05, 2015 03:03pm

This is too short a sentence. He is going to come out of jail as a hero. He should be barred from making any public speeches at all.

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MAlvi

Oct 05, 2015 03:04pm

What was his speech?

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Sodomite

Oct 05, 2015 03:19pm

Great news. Send them all to prison and cleanse the society from these sociopaths. It's time we became normal again.

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Concerned Pakistani

Oct 05, 2015 03:24pm

Law should be more strict and punishment for hate speech should be at least 10 years of imprisonment. Through his hate speeches he must have caused many killings. All hate mongers should be taken to task.

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8-Pass Charlie

Oct 05, 2015 03:49pm

Only six month! What kind of law we have for such offenders.

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jalala

Oct 05, 2015 03:52pm

it should have been 6 yrs, there is no room for hate mongers and spreading hatred in the country

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Jalbani Baloch

Oct 05, 2015 04:42pm

The sentence by the court for Hate Speech, will serve as an eye-opener for others. The police and other law enforcing agencies must keep a constant vigil on the sermons delivered by Khateebs during Juma prayers, and if anyone is involved in dissemination of hate, in the sacred place of worship, he must be immediately booked and referred to the competent court of law for decision.

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miristan

Oct 05, 2015 04:47pm

should have been 6 years.

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M. Siddique

Oct 05, 2015 05:18pm

Only months? He should be locked up for 6 years.

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Akil Akhtar

Oct 05, 2015 05:30pm

Speeches promoting violence should never be allowed

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Sonny Afridi

Oct 05, 2015 05:33pm

Good to see authorities and polity of Pakistan cracking down on these most undesirable elements of the society. Incarcerate them and rehabilitate them. Those that continue these hate speeches - make a huge example out of them!

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saleem

Oct 05, 2015 06:42pm

I'm observing that chane is taking place in thinking of Pakistanis towards good ,they are becoming tolerant ,accomodative,foresighted ,progressive & advanced.The day does not look for away when their country will get recognition she deserves& willcompete at global level. from an indian

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Mumtaz Baig

Oct 05, 2015 06:46pm

This punishment is not enough. The judge should add at least 20 lashes punishment as well and if he continues the same next time then double the the punishment.

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Torontonian

Oct 05, 2015 06:57pm

Courts should make an example of these criminals not a joke. Only 6 months for such a wanted man. Also who allows him to use all those titles like "mufti" he should be called by only his name.

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Akram

Oct 05, 2015 06:59pm

6 months is not enough, these people are egging on others to justify murders of minorities. He should have gotten 10 years at least. And if anyone died as a result of his hate speech, he should be hung.

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Reality Bites

Oct 05, 2015 07:16pm

This judge has shown a little bit of courage and stood up to these terror outfits. We really need harsh punishments starting with Mumtaz Qadri being put to death for murder of Salman Taseer.

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asif ashraf

Oct 05, 2015 08:20pm

A good start lets hope we keep it up

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Laeeq, NY

Oct 05, 2015 09:25pm

Just couple of more arrests like this and you can say "goodbye" to extremism in Pakistan. Punishments should be swift and fast to be more effective for lesson to the rest of the extremist elements of the society.

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inam

Oct 06, 2015 06:24am

What kind of news reporting is this?No detail of what and against whom the hate speech was made has been reported.

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