MQM chief Hussain calls for arrest of pro-Taliban Pak cleric

Bs_logoImage
Press Trust of India Karachi
Last Updated : Dec 19 2014 | 11:25 PM IST
MQM chief Altaf Hussain today called for the arrest of the chief cleric of the controversial Lal Masjid in Islamabad for his statement supporting the Pakistani Taliban.
Maulana Abdul Aziz, the hardline cleric of the infamous Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad, earlier today stoked a fresh controversy by calling the military offensive against Taliban militants in the North Waziristan region "un-Islamic".
Even as hundreds of civil society activists demonstrated outside the mosque and demanded registration of an FIR against Aziz for supporting terrorists, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Hussain told thousands of supporters and party members in Karachi that Aziz should be put behind bars.
Addressing a massive rally organised to show solidarity with the armed forces, the MQM chief said the time was over to show any mercy to terrorists or those who sympathise or support them.
"Maulana Aziz should have been arrested and tried when the Lal Masjid operation took place. It is people like him and some religious seminaries which are supporting and breeding terrorists in Pakistan," Hussain said.
He said the Pakistan Army should expand its operation in North and South Waziristan against terrorists to all over the country to root out militants and their supporters.
Hussain said they were elements in some religious parties who were still defending the Taliban even after the brutal attack on the army school in Peshawar that killed 148 people, mostly children.
In Islamabad, the Inspector-General of Police was forced to authorise registration of a complaint against Aziz after a strong demonstration by civil activists who said he should be arrested for supporting the Taliban.
Aziz, who survived a 2007 military operation against militants hiding in the mosque when he was caught trying to escape wearing a burqa, said he can prove that the military operation was against the teachings of Islam.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories

  • Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 19 2014 | 11:25 PM IST