Joseph Colony case: Supreme Court issues interim order

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued its interim order in the Joseph Colony suo moto case.

A three member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chauhdry resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday.

In the interim order the apex court stated that Inspector General Police Punjab had failed in providing security to 220 homes. The court has sought answers to what steps have been taken to stop such attacks in the future, why residents were displaced and why they were not provided security.

Earlier during proceedings SSP Investigation informed the court about the investigation of the incident. The SSP said that during initial interrogation the Christian suspect accused of blasphemy in his statement admitted to being intoxicated and did not remember what he had said. The SSP sought time to ascertain the facts.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that the police instead of asking witnesses was asking suspects. He added that the incident had taken place after Friday prayers and asked if what had provoked the people was being investigated.

Advocate General Punjab, Ashtra Ausauf presented the report on Gojra incident and said the judicial commission report had recommended an amendment in the police order. This recommendation was sent to concerned officials but there were differences between the home department and police over the amendment.

Chief Justice remarked that was the government so helpless that it could not implement the judicial commission report due to some differences. The Chief Justice also asked why no concrete steps were taken for the implementation of the report.

The advocate general further informed the court that the trial of those accused in the Gojra incident had begun but there was a compromise reached. The bench remarked that there was no room for compromise in cases of terrorism.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned till March 18.