Cleric Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza arrested in Jhelum under MPO

Jhelum (Web Desk): Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, a well-known cleric and social media figure from Jhelum, has been detained for 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance, according to a statement released early Tuesday by the local police.

Authorities cited alleged controversial remarks made by Mirza in a recent interview that circulated widely on social media as the reason for his detention.

Mirza, who resides in Machine Mohallah in Jhelum, is widely recognized for his religious lectures, which he frequently shares online. His YouTube channel alone boasts a following of 3.1 million subscribers. His growing influence and bold commentary have made him a prominent yet polarizing figure in religious circles.

Confirming the detention, the district officials stated that the action was taken under Section 3 of the MPO ordinance, which authorizes the detention of individuals deemed to be acting in a way that could threaten public safety or disturb public order.

The move followed a formal application submitted by a religious group demanding legal proceedings against Mirza for statements made in his recent interview, which they found offensive.

The video quickly went viral, prompting increased public scrutiny and concern from authorities.

This is not the first time Mirza has come under official watch. During Muharram last year, the then Deputy Commissioner of Jhelum imposed a ban on speeches from 17 clerics, including Mirza, to curb the risk of sectarian unrest.

In a separate incident from March 2021, Mirza narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a religious academy. The attacker was apprehended, and a case of attempted murder was registered.

Previously, in May 2020, Mirza was also arrested by Jhelum police over alleged derogatory comments against certain religious figures. He was later granted bail and released from custody.