The judge who gave the death sentence to Mumtaz Qadri has sought refuge in Saudi Arabia with his family after receiving death threats from religious extremists.
Anti-terrorism court Judge Pervez Ali Shah, who awarded the death sentence to Qadri on October 1, has gone on leave after a group of lawyers ransacked his courtroom, and several hardline religious groups offered a bounty to anyone who killed him.
“The death threats have forced Shah to leave Pakistan along with his family for Saudi Arabia,” PTI quoted Saiful Malook, who served as special prosecutor during Qadri’s trial.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, the government arranged for lodging Shah and his family in Saudi Arabia, Malook said. “Though security was provided to the judge and his family, the government, acting on reports from intelligence agencies, opted to send him abroad,” he said.
There were several reports that extremist elements in religious parties had offered a bounty for anyone who killed the judge. “Yes, there were such reports,” Malook said.
Malook further said he too had been receiving threats and urged the Pakistani government to provide him foolproof security. “The government has deployed only two policemen for my security, which by all means is not adequate,” he said.
In his verdict against Qadri, Shah had said, “No one can be given the license to kill anyone in any condition, therefore, the killer cannot be pardoned as he has committed a heinous crime.”
Malook said Shah’s decision was “absolutely according to law” but the reaction of the lawyers of the Rawalpindi Bar Association was unfortunate. The lawyers had organised several protests against the verdict and ransacked Shah’s courtroom.
Qadri case judge seeks refuge in Saudi Arabia
