LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday directed the counsel for Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) to submit an undertaking in writing on behalf of Maulana Khadim Rizvi that he would not resort to any illegal activity if released on bail.

Civil Lines police had arrested Rizvi and other leaders of the TLP following an FIR lodged under sections 290/291/353/427/186/188 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), section 6 of Sound System Punjab Ordinance 2015 and section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 for holding protest against the acquittal of Christian woman Aasia Bibi in a blasphemy case. Later Rizvi was sent to jail on judicial remand by an anti-terrorism court.

Lahore High Court Bar Association President Hafizur Rehman Chaudhry and other lawyers appeared before a two-judge bench to plead bail petition of Mr Rizvi.

The counsel argued that the TLP chief had not committed any offence against the state and the case was the result of mere political victimisation. He assured the court that Mr Rizvi would not indulge in any activity against the law if released on bail.

A prosecutor, however, opposed the bail petition saying the petitioner was involved in inciting people against the state and his followers damaged public and private property and caused a sense of fear among the citizens.

Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan, head of the bench, asked the counsel to submit a written statement on behalf of Mr Rizvi to this effect and the court would decide the matter in accordance with law. The bench adjourned further hearing of the bail petition till April 11.

Published in Dawn, April 09th, 2019