IHC orders formation of fact-finding commission on blasphemy cases

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court has directed the federal government to establish a fact-finding commission within 30 days to investigate blasphemy cases.

The court also instructed the government to frame additional terms of reference (ToRs) if needed for the commission’s formation.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan Tuesday announced that commission must complete its investigation within four months and submit a final report.

The court has also ordered that the commission’s proceedings be broadcast live for transparency.

Earlier, over 100 petitioners had requested the formation of the commission, stating that their relatives were charged with alleged blasphemy cases based on social media content, with several already convicted by trial courts.

Appeals against these convictions are currently pending in various high courts.

The court noted that evidence presented during the hearings indicated potential collusion between the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and certain individuals in registering blasphemy cases. The commission has been tasked with probing these allegations as well.

The Additional Attorney General was instructed to seek directions from the federal government regarding the commission’s formation and report back to the court.

The court acknowledged that the federal government had earlier agreed to form the commission and had even suggested that the court define the ToRs. The court further noted that despite directives given in the seventh hearing in January 2025, objections from respondents led to 42 hearings before the decision was finalized.

Under the Inquiries Act, the federal government can establish a fact-finding commission comprising retired judicial and government officers, with the authority to engage officials from any investigative agency.