Police raids Lal Mosque

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Police raided Lal Mosque on Monday night and seized all published material. The residences of the Khateeb and deputy Khateeb of the mosque were also searched.

A senior police officer said Maulana Abdul Aziz, Khateeb of the mosque, and his deputy Maulana Abdur Rashid Ghazi were wanted for questioning. However, Maulana Abdul Aziz managed to escape from the scene. Maulana Aziz has been very critical of government policies and there have been reports in recent weeks that the government may remove him.

The Imam also criticised the ongoing military operation in Wana saying that the officers should not be declared martyrs, sources said. The Interior Ministry has received reports that Mr Aziz was also instigating families of detained army officers to hold demonstrations.

Demonstrators staged a protest in front of Lal Mosque against the district administration and police for abusing power and raiding sacred places. MMA leaders in a press conference condemned the raid and said the government was violating human rights.

NNI adds: The deputy Khateeb said they had allegedly received threats from the government. “We were threatened not to talk against the government,” Deputy Khateeb Rashid Ghazi said.

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