JHELUM, Pakistan, August 26 — Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, a prominent religious scholar from Jhelum in Punjab province, has been taken into custody under Pakistan’s 3MPO law following allegations that his recent statements hurt religious sentiments.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Jhelum police spokesman Omar Saeed confirmed the detention, stating it was based on a petition to the District Police Officer alleging that Mirza’s remarks in an interview could incite hatred and breach peace. The 3MPO allows authorities to detain individuals deemed a threat to public order for up to six months, with extensions possible under judicial oversight.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Chaudhry Shahbaz Hanjra told BBC Urdu that Mirza was detained late last night and placed under house arrest in Jhelum District Jail for 30 days. “No one except his lawyers and family can meet him in the district jail because this is a sensitive religious matter,” Hanjra said, as reported by BBC Urdu. The police have sealed Mirza’s academy, and the matter remains under investigation, with potential charges if guilt is established.
The Deputy Commissioner’s order cited Mirza’s speeches as misleading, provocative, and likely to cause communal division by exploiting religious sentiments. No lawyer has been appointed by Mirza yet, and the order has not been challenged.
Who is Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza?
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza is a well-known preacher from Jhelum who discusses religious topics at his seminary in the city. He runs a YouTube channel with over 3.1 million subscribers and more than 2,471 videos viewed millions of times. Mirza states he does not belong to any sect or political group, describing himself as a “Muslim scholar and bookworm.” He has faced prior arrests, including in May 2020 for allegedly insulting religious figures, after which a court ordered his release. Mirza survived assassination attempts in 2017 and a knife attack in March 2021 that left him injured, according to Jhelum police. Journalist Kalbi Ali told BBC Urdu in March 2021 that Mirza’s views often anger various sects, leading to personal attacks rather than argumentative responses, though he has millions of followers.
The Chenab Times learned that human rights activists have criticized the 3MPO as controversial, alleging it denies fundamental rights. No further updates on the case were available as of this report.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
