ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday rejected a plea by the attorney general who requested the court to stop the demolition of ‘illegal’ Madina Mosque in Karachi’s Tariq Road area.
The country’s top court heard a case related to the demolition of encroachments in the metropolis wherein the attorney general appeared on behalf of the government and asked the apex bench court to reconsider the order to demolish the Madina Mosque constructed “illegally”.
The Supreme Court in its hearing at the Karachi Registry on Dec 28 ordered to demolish a mosque, shrine and cemetery built on amenity parks’ land near Tariq Road in Karachi and retrieve the land meant for public parks.
During today’s hearing in Islamabad, Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan urged the top court to review its Dec 28 verdict saying, “Many questions are being raised over directives to raze a place of worship.”
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed remarked that the government could provide alternative land for the mosque, if it wants to, further telling the attorney general that “I have seen a park in the mosque’s place with my own eyes”.
The attorney general maintained that he knew it was the federal and provincial government’s duty to provide land for the mosque. However, he insisted that the SC withdraw its order.
“All we can do is order a delay in the demolition of the mosque till a new site is found for it,” the chief justice responded. Justice Qazi Amin Ahmed observed that religion was being used in land grabbing.
The CJP said the apex court couldn’t take back its order. “What would be the purpose of proceedings if we withdraw our orders,” Justice Gulzar said. Justice Amin noted that building a mosque on an encroached land was not a religious act, saying “Islam does not allow it.”
The apex court sought a report from the Sindh government within three weeks and adjourned the case till January 13.
