Federal Shariat Court admits plea challenging abolition of law on suicide

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Shariat Court has issued a written order, admitting a petition that challenged the removal of Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, which deals with penalising suicide or attempted suicide.

Federal Shariat Court Justices Khadim Hussain Sheikh and Justice Syed Muhammad Anwar heard the plea.

The court has deemed the petition admissible for consideration, and has issued notices to the president, prime minister, and the Ministry of Law on the matter.

The plea was filed by lawyer Hammad Saeed Dar.

The petition argued that suicide is considered forbidden in Islam and that prior to the amendment, it was a crime under Pakistan Penal Code.

The plea cited Quranic verses and numerous Hadiths to support the argument that life is not merely a gift but also a trust from Allah. The petitioner argued that abolition of Section 325 was against the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the holy Quran and teachings of the holy Prophet (PBUH).

The petition had sought the court’s intervention on these grounds.

It may be recalled that the amendment approved in 2022 by the parliament and the president eliminated the punitive measures against individuals who attempt suicide.

The legislation was put forth by the Pakistan People’s Party but faced opposition from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl.

Prior to this amendment, Section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code stipulated that suicide or attempted suicide could result in a one-year prison sentence, a fine, or both.