Lahore: The Lahore High Court approved post-arrest bail for religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in a high-profile blasphemy case. The court instructed jail authorities to release him immediately, provided he is not wanted in connection with any other cases.
Scholar Challenges Investigation
Mirza had filed a petition with the LHC, contesting the ongoing inquiry conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). In his petition, he named both the FIA and the Punjab Quran Board as respondents, arguing that the investigation began without formally notifying him.
The plea stated that the FIA had submitted a social media video to the Punjab Quran Board to obtain a religious opinion on its content. Based on an old video, the Board reportedly declared Mirza guilty of blasphemy, despite lacking the authority to issue fatwas.
Questioning the Board’s Authority
Mirza’s petition highlighted that the Punjab Quran Board’s mandate is confined to issues related to the publication of the Holy Quran and does not extend to issuing religious verdicts. He requested the court to nullify the fatwa issued against him.
Request to Halt FIA Probe
Additionally, Mirza asked the court to stop the FIA investigation entirely. With the bail granted, attention now turns to whether the FIA will continue its inquiry or reconsider its approach following the court’s intervention.
