Petition seeks FIR against Fazlur Rehman over speech on Pakistan Army

A petition has been filed in a court in Gujranwala seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief

A petition has been filed in a court in Gujranwala seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his recent speech related to the Pakistan Army.

The application was submitted by Advocate Manzoor Qadir Bhinder, who requested the court to direct the police to initiate criminal proceedings against the senior political and religious leader. The petitioner argued that the content of Fazlur Rehman’s speech was controversial and should be examined under the law.

The matter came before Additional Sessions Judge Faisal Jameel, who took up the petition for preliminary hearing. After reviewing the application, the court issued notices to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Civil Lines Police Station and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, directing both parties to appear before the court on July 28.

The court also instructed the police to submit a detailed report on the allegations before the next hearing. The report is expected to explain whether any legal action has already been taken and whether the contents of the speech require the registration of a criminal case.

The petitioner maintained that the remarks made by the JUI-F chief were of a serious nature and warranted legal scrutiny. He requested the court to order the immediate registration of an FIR so that a formal investigation could be launched in accordance with the law.

At this stage, the court has not issued any ruling on the merits of the allegations. Instead, it has sought responses from both the police and the respondent before making a decision.

Legal experts say the next hearing will be important because the court will examine the police report, hear arguments from the petitioner and the respondent, and then decide whether sufficient grounds exist to direct the registration of an FIR.

The case remains under judicial consideration, and no criminal proceedings have been initiated against Maulana Fazlur Rehman so far. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on July 28, when the court will review the available evidence and determine the future course of action.