LAHORE – An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has sentenced TLP leader Zahirul Hassan Shah, deputy amir of the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), for issuing threats against former Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The verdict was delivered by Judge Arshad Javed after the conclusion of the trial. Shah received a prison term of 35 and a half years and was fined Rs600,000. The case stems from incidents in 2024 when Shah allegedly threatened the Chief Justice.
In July 2024, the TLP leader was arrested in Okara while hiding at an undisclosed location. Shah, along with 1,500 TLP workers, was named in the case under multiple charges, including terrorism, religious intolerance, spreading disorder, and exerting pressure on the judiciary.
The Lahore police registered the case at Qila Gujjar Singh police station. Charges included interference with governmental duties, obstruction of legal processes, and spreading hate against the judiciary. According to authorities, Shah made inflammatory statements outside the press club, inciting public hatred against the judiciary.
The case highlights growing concerns about the misuse of religious influence to intimidate legal authorities. Officials noted that Shah’s statements and actions posed a serious threat to law and order in the country.
During the trial, evidence included statements, witness testimonies, and recordings of Shah’s speeches. The court found sufficient proof that the TLP leader deliberately targeted the judiciary to exert pressure and disrupt legal proceedings.
Law enforcement agencies emphasized that the verdict sends a strong message against threats to judicial independence. Authorities stated that no individual or group, regardless of religious or political affiliation, can act above the law.
This conviction marks a significant step in holding extremist leaders accountable for inciting violence and undermining state institutions. The police and judiciary reiterated their commitment to protecting democratic and legal institutions from threats posed by extremist elements.
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The court’s decision has been widely welcomed by legal experts and civil society, who praised the ruling as a reinforcement of Pakistan’s legal framework and a warning against future intimidation attempts by any extremist group, including the TLP.
