JHELUM – Religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza has been taken into preventative detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO), authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
Mirza was detained from his Islamic Academy in Jhelum amid concerns that his recent statements, circulating in a viral video, could trigger sectarian unrest. Police emphasized that this is not a criminal arrest but a measure to maintain public safety.
Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Syed Maysam Abbas and District Police Officer Ahmed Mohiyuddin said the decision was made to prevent any disturbance to public order. He will remain in detention for 30 days, and his academy has been sealed.
According to police sources, the action was taken after religious leaders submitted a written complaint to the local administration, demanding action against Mirza’s “controversial remarks.”
Despite the lack of formal charges, police say the detention was "inevitable" due to the sensitive nature of the situation. Mirza reportedly agreed to cooperate to avoid violence.
This is not the first time Mirza has faced legal troubles. He was previously arrested in 2020 over alleged derogatory remarks and faced a blasphemy case in 2023. He has also survived three assassination attempts in recent years.
