- Web Desk
- 6 Hours ago

Diamer locals torch NGO-distributed stoves following clerical decree
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- Tanveer Abbas Web Desk
- Jan 15, 2025

GILGIT: Metal angeethis (traditional stoves) distributed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) among deserving families in the Hudur area of Diamer district were burned after being deemed “haram” by some local clerics.
Diamer Superintendent of Police Sher Khan confirmed to HUM News English that the incident occurred after clerics reportedly issued a fatwa against the distributed items.
Also read: Miscreants set houses, orchards ablaze in Diamer
“We use angeethis to burn wood in them. I’m surprised how they managed to set the stoves themselves on fire,” SP Khan, who was in Islamabad receiving treatment after an accident, wittily remarked over the phone.
According to sources, the incident happened on January 10 when some local clerics allegedly issued a decree against the distribution terming it a “conspiracy.”
After the decree, some enraged locals took the metal stoves from their homes, and set them on fire and vandalized them.
A video of the incident also went viral on social media. In the video, some locals can be seen around a fire, with several burning stoves visible in the flames.
Molana Muhammad Afzal Niazi, a prominent cleric accused of being involved in the incident, denied issuing any such decree.
Speaking to HUM News English, he stated, “The matter was not about declaring the distribution haram or halal. The ulema only advised locals to take precautions and verify the origin of the aid. They wanted to confirm the source through government channels. The destruction of the angeethis was the act of children acting out of nadani (foolishness), not on any clerical directive.” He also noted that the source of the aid had not yet been verified.
Molana Niazi mentioned that there were complaints about women wandering during the distribution of stoves, which raised suspicions about the agenda behind the distribution. “We are against women’s involvement in such activities. Women have no role in these matters,” he added.
Molana Niazi said that he himself had taken a stove but did not use it as he already had one at home. He revealed that a person was arrested in connection with the incident but was later released following the involvement of Ulema.
Speaking to HUM News English, FAO district coordinator for Diamer, Sheraz Baig, said the UN organization had distributed approximately 4,500 stoves in five valleys of Diamer under its “Chilgoza Project” from 2020 to December 2024.
He noted that 900 angeethis were distributed in Hudur alone in December last year.
“Our role was limited to distribution, and we don’t involve ourselves in any litigation. The district administration has taken note of the incident, and one arrest has been made,” he added.
