Lal Masjid Deobandi takfiri cleric free despite non-bailable arrest warrants

Despite issuance of non-bailable warrant for arrest of pro-takfiri senior Deobandi cleric of Islamabad’s government-administered Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) Abdul Aziz is free from legal accountability.

Senior Civil Judge Saqib Jawad issued a non-bailable arrest warrant on Friday against Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz while hearing a case filed by civil society members. During the hearing, the investigation officer of the case requested the court to issue an arrest warrant for Abdul Aziz for investigation, based on a First Information Report (FIR) that was previously registered against the Deobandi-takfiri cleric at Aabpara Police Station.
Judge Saqib accepted the investigation officer’s request and an arrest warrant was issued. In response to the arrest warrant, spokesman for the Lal Masjid Shohada Foundation Hafiz Ehtisham said that Abdul Aziz would resist arrest. He added that there have been arrest warrants against political leaders in different cases such as the Model Town incident and the attack on PTV’s office, but they were not arrested. Therefore, Maulana Aziz will resist any such move, Ehtisham said.
It is also relevant to add here that explosives were found from a Madressa or religious seminary run by Abdul Aziz in Rajanpur his home district. Police detained Abdullah, the custodian of the Madressa and also registered a case against him.

In addition, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has also got registered a case in Karachi against Deobandi takfiri cleric Abdul Aziz for giving life threats to MQM Chairman Altaf Hussain through a video message. Deobandi JUIF’s Fazal ur Rehman has contacted Altaf Hussain to defend Abdul Aziz.