While addressing the session of the National Assembly, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali criticized the remarks of Supreme Court Justice Qazi Faez Esa regarding the allotment of 20 percent additional marks for being a Hafiz-e-Quran at every level after matriculation.
While hearing a petition over admission to a medical college in Karachi, the Supreme Court contested the idea that students who memorized the Holy Quran receive additional marks when applying to educational institutes.
"How are admissions into medical and other colleges linked to being a hafiz-e-Quran?" Justice Isa had questioned in his remarks. He inquired, "Should those who memorized Christian's holy scripture receive an additional 20 marks? He said, "Why should 20 extra points be awarded based on this?"
The senior judge said, "We believe memorizing the Holy Quran is sacred, and it is a plus point when someone wants to become the imam of a mosque or a religious lecturer." He said, "But how can a hafiz-e-Quran be a better doctor?"
Responding to the apex court's remarks, Maulana Abdul lashed out at Justice Esa and alleged that he compared the holy Quran with Christians’ sacred books, adding that he should be aware that the Torah and Psalms are ‘scratched’.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Naveed Aamir Jeeva strongly reacted to the hated remarks of Maulana Abdul by calling him a "liar" and suggesting "stay within your limits."
Upon this, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf intervened by saying "thank you" to Maulana Abdul and asking Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Naveed Aamir Jeeva to be seated.
https://twitter.com/NaveedJeeva/status/1641704270549471233?s=20
The hate remarks of Maulana Abdul have stirred debate among minority leaders, lawyers, activists, and community members. Many took to Twitter to condemn the words of the JI leader.
While condemning the remarks of Maulana Abdul, Christian Lawyers Association of Pakistan (CLAP) President Advocate Javed Gill said that such remarks by an elected member of the National Assembly are a clear threat to peace and harmony in the country.
Advocate Javed Gill said that the JI leader's statement is against the spirit and mandate of Articles 20 and 36 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantee the protection of minorities.
He further stated that Maulana Abdul had committed contempt of the apex court while standing on the assembly floor. "The National Assembly speaker’s response over the incident was so disappointing as he deliberately let MNA Naveed Aamir Jeeva go unheard," he regretted.