Chief Justice Designate Qazi Faez Isa visits Jaranwala

Chief Justice Designate Qazi Faez Isa visited Jaranwala on Saturday.

Justice Isa along with his wife met the affected members of the Christain community and expressed solidarity with the Christian community after violent attacks on their houses and churches over alleged blasphemy allegations.

He also visited an affected church and settlement that was attacked by a violent mob.

Justice Isa and his wife also provided financial assistance to the victims and distributed food packages to them. 

“I am here as a citizen and it is everyone’s duty to help you,” he said.

Justice Isa said that the protection as well as integrity of the Christian community will be protected, no matter what!

Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who will take over as Chief Justice of Pakistan next month, was briefed by police and civil administration at Jaranwala’s on the situation.

However, Justice Isa expressed his anger on Police Chief Faisalabad and inquired how much progress has been made in the investigation despite the passing of three days after the mob targeted the Christian community.

“Three days have passed since the incident and the streets are still not clean,” said Justice Isa while expressing displeasure with the deputy commissioner and directed to get the streets cleaned immediately.

Speaking to the victims, Justice Isa said, “If anyone attacks churches, it is the responsibility of Muslims [to catch] the attackers.”

Stating that he “does not communicate with journalists” due to his profession, Justice Isa informed one of the locals that he had written a message for the media.

Justice Isa further told him that he had brought some “food packets” for them, which he acknowledged were akin to a “drop in the ocean”.

“We want others to do the same,” he added.

“Who has the greatest responsibility? [It is] Muslims. They should help you,” the SC judge said.

“Why leave everything to the state?” he asked, noting the glacial pace of state machinery to “tenders, etc”, which would take time.

Citizens have expressed their views on Justice Isa’s visit to Jaranwala

 

 

Following his visit to Jaranwala, a statement was issued to the media

Justice Isa in his statement quoted verses from the Holy Quran and said Muslims were told to fight against those who harmed churches.

He highlighted that faith in Prophet Isa was one of the principles of Islam and recalled events from history where Muslim religious leaders had shown respect to Christianity.

Further quoting Articles 295 and 295-A of the Constitution, he said that a person who “hurt the religious sentiments of anyone” was liable to be punished.

“Violating the Constitution is considered a grave crime … what happened in Jaranwala was a violation of Pakistan’s law and Constitution,” Justice Is asserted.

Noting that Islam was a religion that encouraged people to wish peace upon others when they meet each other, Justice Isa said, adding, “The few followers of this religion who call themselves Muslim violated the teachings of their religion and displayed barbarism and abuse to this extent.”