The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s (TLP) deputy ameer, Zaheerul Hassan Shah, was arrested in Punjab’s Okara district on Monday for issuing death threats to Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa, sources said.

He was hiding at an unknown location, they added.

Earlier in the day, a first information report was registered in Lahore against the senior TLP leader for the above mentioned reason.

The complaint was filed at the Qila Gujjar Singh police station by the Station House Officer (SHO) Hammad Hussain.

Hasan has been charged under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for inciting religious hatred, causing public disorder, intimidating the judiciary, threatening CJP Isa, interfering in official duties, and obstructing legal functions.

According to the FIR, Hassan incited hatred against the judiciary and “announced a reward of Rs10 million for anyone who brought the head of the CJP during a protest outside the Press Club.” The complaint also included charges against 1,500 workers of the religiopolitical party.

In response, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the government would take strict action against those who have issued death threats to the CJP. The state would not tolerate such fatwas (religious edicts) that call for violence, he added.

At a press conference in Islamabad, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif strongly condemned the inflammatory remarks made against Chief Justice Faez Isa. He highlighted the attempts on social media to incite the public to commit murder. Asif warned that allowing such inflammatory rhetoric could lead to the breakdown of the state’s structure.

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The defence minister pointed out that there were efforts to incite violence in the name of religion, with the CJP being targeted through various pretexts.

Asif reiterated that the state would not accept any group dictating terms, and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice in the country.