Handcuffing ‘against Islamic principles’

Belated response by top body interpreting Islam draws criticism by civil society

Almost one week after the handcuffing of a former vice chancellor and four retired officials of Punjab University by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the Chairman of Pakistan’s Islamic Ideological Council (IIC), a top body entrusted with interpreting Islamic laws and jurisprudence, has condemned the incident saying it is un-Islamic and against principle of justice.

IIC Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz condemned the October 12 incident, calling for action against NAB director general and other officials for the “inhuman, disrespectful treatment meted out to senior teachers”, and that a case must be registered against them.

Dr Ayaz particularly mentioned a vice-chancellor of Sargodha University, Dr Akram Chaudhry, who was also among the handcuffed professors produced in the court, saying he was an upright man and an associate with IIC.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar took suo motu notice of the incident on the very next day of the incident and also summoned Saleem Shahzad, for producing former Punjab University senior professors in handcuffs before a local magistrate for remand.

Shahzad apologised to the court as well as to the professors, who were present in the Lahore registry of the Supreme Court, for the NAB officials’ insulting behaviour.

Dr Ayaz’s remarks have come at a time when the issue had already been disposed of by the chief hustice, along with a warning to NAB.

Furore online

The IIC Chairman’s statement yesterday has sparked a debate on social media, with people saying he was flogging a dead horse.

One social media user, expressing surprise at the IIC chairman’s belated response, remarked how he was ignorant to the extent that he wasn’t aware of an important hearing by the Supreme Court Chief Justice on the issue, already widely covered by local and international media. “Our Chief Justice has already taken a suo motu and disposed of the matter, taking the NAB DG and other officials to task,” the user said.

Another critic of the IIC Chairman’s statement asked “if it was really necessary for the chairman of a toothless council to issue a statement when the job has already been done well by the top judge of the country.”

When contacted, IIC’s official spokesperson said that the chairman had been out of the country last week and only returned yesterday, and issued the statement when the matter was brought to his notice.