Govt has 48 hours to resolve mosque demolition row, warn ulema

Religious scholars in Islamabad said on Monday that government authorities have sought 48 hours to make progress on the dispute surrounding the demolition of Madni Mosque near Rawal Dam Chowk.

Clerics from various religious parties warned that if the government fails to reinstate the mosque, they will rebuild it themselves. Religious groups also staged a protest at the demolition site, condemning the action.

The ulema further declared that mosques built decades ago would not be allowed to be torn down, adding that several government offices built on green belts have not faced similar notices.

Addressing the protesters, JUI-F Islamabad chapter emir Mufti Owais Aziz vowed to take legal action against the demolition.

He also announced that a blasphemy case would be filed against Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other senior government officials over the incident.

Aziz warned the police that if they refused to register the case, they would be declared “enemies of Islam.”

The demolition of the mosque on Sunday triggered unrest in the capital, with religious parties taking to the streets. Amid the tense atmosphere, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry met a delegation of clerics.

Chaudhry dismissed “false reports” circulating about the demolition of mosques and madressahs, stating that the government had already provided an alternative location for the madressah.

He added that any further decisions regarding the mosque would be taken in consultation with religious leaders.