A well-known religious scholar from Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan, named Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, has been taken into custody.
According to Jhelum Police spokesperson Umar Saeed, Mirza was detained under 3 MPO (Maintenance of Public Order). The police shared the official request that led to his detention.
The 3 MPO law in Pakistan grants the government broad powers to detain individuals for preventive custody if they are considered a threat to public safety or order. This law allows for the arrest and detention of a person for a set period, which can be extended. However, continuous detention cannot exceed six months at a time, and any period longer than three months requires judicial oversight.
The Jhelum police spokesperson stated that the administration’s decision to detain Mirza was based on a formal request submitted to the District Police Officer of Jhelum. The request references a recent interview given by Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza, alleging that some of his statements “hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims” and called for legal action against him.
DSP Chaudhry Shahbaz Hanjra told BBC Urdu that he was the one who took Mirza into custody late at night. Mirza is currently detained for 30 days at the District Jail in Jhelum. According to Hanjra, Mirza was informed of the allegations and the seriousness of the situation at the time of his arrest.
DSP Hanjra further explained that due to the sensitive nature of the religious matter and the importance of ensuring his safety, only his lawyers and family members can visit him in jail. The detention under 3 MPO was a swift action taken by the police and district administration. The case is still under investigation, and if Mirza is found guilty, a formal case may be filed against him.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police also mentioned that Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza’s academy has been sealed for the time being.