Thwarting a planned rally of former cleric of Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Aziz on Friday, the government warned the former cleric of strict action in case he violated the law. An official said that the district administration in August this year had put the name of Maulana Abdul Aziz on the Fourth Schedule under Section II-EE of Anti Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997.
The Fourth Schedule is a section of the ATA under which someone who is suspected of terrorism is kept under observation; it is mandatory for him to register his attendance with the local police regularly. However, the official said that Aziz and Umme Hassan on Friday violating Section II-EE of ATA 1997 tried to stage a rally, to start his movement to enforce Shariah law, from his house to Lal Masjid along with his students as well as members of some religious organisations disturbing the law and order situation in the city. Those who intended to participate in the rally raised anti-government slogans.
But later, he (Aziz) cancelled the rally following the warning of the district administration and returned home after offering Friday prayers. Talking to media, outside his residence, Aziz announced that he will stage a rally from his home to Lal Masjid next Friday. The official said that following the directives of Ministry of Interior the district administration on Friday issued a notice to Aziz asking him to obey the law otherwise action would be taken against him under Section II-EE of ATA 1997 and he would be put under house arrest under 3 MPO of 1960.
The official said that in August this year, Aziz had assured Inspector General of Police (IGP) in writing that he always respected the law of the land and will cooperate with the district administration in future as well. "I neither had any association with any proscribed organisation nor I am member of any such organisation," Aziz said, adding that he will inform police about his movement and residence.
He said that Aabpara Police in December 2014 registered a case against Aziz for criminal intimidation and the Ministry of Interior withdrew the official security of Aziz which he had enjoyed for three years. The Ministry of Interior had adopted the stance that since Aziz was not the state-approved prayer leader security cannot be provided to him. Heavy contingent of police and rangers were deployed on the occasion to avert any untoward incident.