Naqvi dismisses rumours of mosque, madrasa closures as baseless propaganda

KARACHI: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday met with Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) Chairman Muhammad Sarwat Ejaz Qadri and others to discuss matters related to religious harmony and unity. Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah also accompanied the interior minister during the meeting. The participants lauded the valuable services of religious scholars and emphasised the importance of promoting interfaith harmony and solidarity. Addressing concerns circulating on social media, Naqvi clarified that no mosque or seminary was being closed, dismissing such reports as “baseless propaganda.”

He also met with Mufti Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman dubbing him a voice of reason.

He said Islam is a religion of peace and compassion, leaving no space for violence or incitement. “Ulema have always played a crucial role in guiding the nation through difficult times,” Naqvi added, urging all segments of society to contribute positively as Pakistan moves toward progress.

Naqvi noted that peaceful protest is a democratic right within the ambit of law, but stressed that the country now needs unity above all else. PST Chairman Sarwat Qadri assured full support in advancing religious harmony.

Senior PST leaders, including Allama Bilal Abbas Qadri, Allama Bilal Saleem Qadri, Tayyab Hussain Qadri, Abdullah Akram Qadri, Salman Qadri, Shahbaz Qadri, Imran Qadri, and Darwaish Raza Abbasi, were also present.

Two ASWJ workers shot

Earlier this week, two workers of the banned Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) were shot dead in a suspected targeted attack near Nagan Chowrangi, Karachi. According to SSP Central Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqi who spoke to Dawn, the victims, identified as 32-year-old Shah Ahmed, a shopkeeper and religious scholar, and his employee Abu Bakar, were attacked by armed pillion riders near an ASWJ office. Both men sustained fatal bullet wounds and were pronounced dead at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Police recovered five 9mm bullet casings and obtained CCTV footage from the scene.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but it follows two similar assaults on ASWJ members in recent months. The group’s spokesperson, Umar Muawiyah, criticised the lack of security around their office. Meanwhile, in a separate development, Karachi police made their first arrest using facial recognition technology, detaining a suspect with multiple terror-related FIRs. Authorities said vigilance in the area has been informally increased.