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Cleric booked for forcing student to get jihad training

By Shahzad Malik

ISLAMABAD: Police on Monday registered a case against a seminary cleric for allegedly keeping a student in illegal confinement and forcing him to go abroad for jihad training.

Musaddiq Malik, 14, suffered multiple injuries in an abortive attempt to escape. However, his parents succeeded to get him freed on Monday after searching for him for two days. The cleric, Qari Fazal, is still on the run.

Malik was admitted to Madrassa Taleemul Quran, located in Sector G-7/3, two years ago. Fazal was his teacher but the madrassa’s management sacked him because of his dubious activities. Fazal later opened his own seminary named Madrassa Khalid bin Waleed in Sector I-8/3.

Police sources said Fazal “developed relations” with Malik and “hypnotised” him to go abroad for jihad training. They said that Malik took Rs 200,000 from his parents and gave to Fazal for the “holy cause”.

On Monday, Malik managed to escape and Fazal chased him. While running on a road in Sector I-8/3, Malik was hit by a car and was caught. Fazal took him to a hospital and again confined him.

Later, his parents freed him. Malik told police that he had given Fazal Rs 200,000 to send him to Afghanistan for jihad training. He said that Fazal tortured him when he asked for his money back.

Industrial Area Police Station House Officer Liaqat Ali Langah told Daily Times that several complaints had already been lodged against Fazal.

He said Madrassa Khalid bin Walid was formed without approval from the authorities. He said police had registered a case against Fazal and was searching for him.

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