ISLAMABAD: The rising tide of intolerance and bigotry against minorities has got the attention of the Supreme Court, which has summoned reports from the federal government to explain what measures are being taken to implement a set of directions outlined in a verdict issued by the court on June 19.

The apex court has also asked for updates on an inquiry being conducted by the Punjab government and the provincial police officer (PPO) on the lynching of a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan on Nov 6. The reports are due by Monday.

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The fresh instructions were issued by Chief Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk after government departments failed to comply with earlier reminders, issued by the Supreme Court Human Rights Cell (HRC) on Nov 10, to important government offices.

The HRC sent reminders to the secretary to prime minister and the secretaries of Cabinet Division, Establishment Division, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Religious and Minorities Affairs, Capital Administration, Foreign Affairs, Information Technology as well as all four chief ministers, chief secretaries, the inspectors general and the Islamabad chief commissioner.

Court deplores non-compliance with verdict on protection of minorities

When the HRC did not receive a compliance report, it furnished the case file to the office of the chief justice, who in turn ordered that reports be summoned from each department.

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A set of guidelines were issued suo motu by then Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani in a 32-page judgment aimed at promoting a culture of religious and social tolerance. The judgment suggested the development of appropriate curriculum at school and college levels and constituting a task force to develop a strategy of religious tolerance as well as the establishment of a special police force trained to protect the worship places of minorities.

The action was taken in the backdrop of the Sept 22, 2013 Peshawar church bombings that left 81 people dead. During proceedings, the court also received complaints from Hindus seeking protection for their worship places, as well as information regarding threats to proselytise the Kalash tribe and the Ismaili community in Chitral, the forced conversion of Hindu girls and the registration of Hindu marriages, etc.

Also read : Christian couple beaten to death for 'desecrating Quran': police

Soon after the announcement of the judgment, the Supreme Court had transmitted certified copies of the verdict to government departments, asking for compliance with the directions contained in the ruling.

But despite a lapse of over four months, no compliance report was submitted to the court.

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2014