ISLAMABAD: An amicus curie in the case related to finality of Prophethood stated before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that an apostate should not be given capital punishment.

The court was hearing a petition concerning amendments to the Election Act 2017.

Dr Aslam Khaki, who appeared as amicus curie in the said case before Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqi of IHC, said in India, the extremist Hindu organisations were demanding death sentence for changing religion from Hinduism to any other religion.

He said that if such legislation was allowed in Pakistan, it would strengthen demand of Hindu extremists.

Dr Khaki explained that there were two types of apostates: one who works against the state and another who changes his faith.

For anti-state activities, the amicus curie suggested that the apostate should be dealt strictly in accordance with law, but for changing belief he should not be liable to death sentence since religion has no compulsion, he added.

Justice Siddiqui sought several questions from the federal government regarding the Election Act 2017.

He asked the federal government to provide information as to when the decision to enact the act was taken and by whom.

He also asked who prepared the draft bill and sought particulars of the committee consisting of parliamentarians/experts/secretaries etc., and who accorded approval to the draft bill.

The judge also wanted to know on which date the cabinet assented for presentation in the National Assembly and on which date the bill was tabled before the House.

Dr Babar Awan advocate also assisted the court as amicus curie in this case.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2018