Government ordered to make available certified copies of Holy Quran

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the federal government to ensure provision of certified copies of the Holy Quran on provincial, district and tehsil levels, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

A 40-page written order, written by the Lahore High Court’s Justice Shujaat Ali on the plea of one Hassan Muavia, directed the federal government and provincial governments to immediately seize all uncertified copies of the Holy Quran besides ordering the removal of unapproved Islamic content from the internet.

The LHC decision is aimed at curbing the publication and spread of such copies of the Holy Quran and other Islamic books which lack requisite official endorsement and certification.

The order further read that federal government should ensure availability of certified copies of the Holy Quran on web portals of all federal and provincial institutions.

Publication companies of the Holy Quran and other Islamic books would be bound to have a close coordination with the chairman of Quran Board, it further directs.

The Holy Quran and other Islamic books cannot be imported until a no-objection certificate (NOC) is obtained from the government, it added.

The high court issued directives to the government for devising a policy in line with recommendations tabled by the Quran Board.

All seminaries and libraries have been advised to match copies of the Holy Quran, Panj Surah (Five Surahs), Dus Surah (Ten Surahs) with the certified one before accepting donations, the order said.

Publishers will brand names of publisher and company on every page besides ensuring printing of serial number, bar code and QR code on each copy of the Holy Quran and other Islamic books.