Lal Masjid cleric’s pre-arrest bail confirmed

A sessions court in Islamabad on Monday confirmed the pre-arrest bail of firebrand cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz in two criminal cases registered against him.

The court also dismissed applications for FIRs against the Lal Masjid cleric in three cases pertaining to Daesh and incitement of sectarian violence.

Earlier on February 26, Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Asif Mehmood granted extension in bail till March 7 to the Lal Masjid cleric after he appeared before the court.

The Aabpara Police had registered a case under Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) read with Section 3 and 4 of the Amplifier Act against Aziz and others. Further, a separate case under Section 506 (ii) (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the PPC was also registered.

When the case was taken up, Aziz’s counsel requested the court to grant extension in the bail as well as exemption from personal appearance before the court owing to security concerns.

His counsel said that it was alleged in the FIR, dealing with blasphemy and violation of the Amplifier Act, that two persons— Qari Abdul Rehman Muavia and Maulana Ghulam Mustafa Baloch— convened a Shohada Conference wherein a large number of people gathered.

He added that it was further alleged that both the persons along with 14 other religious persons, including Aziz, delivered hate speeches which hurt the religious sentiments of people from other sect and they used the loudspeaker to spread religious hatred.

Asad claimed in the petition that Aziz had not attended the meeting nor had he addressed the procession.

Asad assured the court that Aziz can join investigation, if and when required.