Following a spike in sectarian violence and reservations over his vitriolic sermons against the Shia community, district authorities in Rahim Yar Khan placed Malik Ishaq, leader of the banned organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), under house arrest for 10 days late Thursday night.
Ishaq was detained a day after 29 Shias were killed in Mastung in an attack claimed by the LeJ.
A police contingent has been deployed outside Ishaq’s house and people have been barred from visiting him, district police officer Sohail Chatta said while talking to The Express Tribune.
Government of Punjab has given orders for Ishaq’s house arrest, said District Coordination Officer Rahim Yar Khan, Ahmed Javed Qazi, while talking to The Express Tribune.
Ishaq had received his passport to perform Umrah a few days ago, sources said.
He was released on bail in July after nearly 14 years behind bars over his alleged role in numerous sectarian murders and the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.
(Read: The release of Malik Ishaq)
Ishaq was acquitted in 34 of the 44 cases against him, involving the killing of 70 people, and granted bail in the remaining 10 cases, including the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.
However, sectarian tensions resurfaced following his release, prompted by his anti-Shia sermons across the country.
According to an official document prepared by a department working under Punjab government, available with The Express Tribune, Ishaq vowed to continue to kill “the enemies of the Sahaba (Prophet Muhammad PBUH’s companions)” at a seminar on September 4.
“LeJ is not a terrorist outfit. It was set up to ensure proper respect for the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” Ishaq reportedly said.
Earlier, on Sunday, members of Ishaq’s entourage clashed with the Shia community in Muzaffargarh district, resulting in at least two deaths and ten injuries.
Ishaq had been flouting government’s orders by travelling across the province, since he is on an anti-terrorism watch list and is required to request permission before leaving the jurisdiction of his local police station.
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT BY ASAD KHARAL IN LAHORE.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2011.
COMMENTS (35)
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Its so nice to know that unlikw what's portrayed in the media,many Pakistanis are very much against extremism.I could find a few 'nutty' comments though.I think these are from religious extremists from India's majority religious community.I don't think they are doing any other job besides diverting the attention from the main issue, which is of terrorism.
What does the issue of 72 virgins have to do here?The Hindu scriptures too mention something about Apsaras- the celestial maidens.
This man should be treated like a criminal. why is he not being given due punishment by our courts
Malik Ishaq and people like him should be given death sentence. Why was he even let out of jail in the first place?
@Ali Mardan: Wow, it is all true, a very sad truth. Thanks and regards, Mirza
@ali mardan: bro you just made my day :D
How can I donate to his 'razor fund'? He needs to shave and take a shower.
Have a look at his dirty face, the nastiest I have ever seen. He should be hanged in public. Punjab Government is now providing him more security at his home just to give him secure place to mastermind some more killings of innocent Shia community. Well done PML(N) you will get more seats in Punjab at the cost of bloodshed of shia community. Now this filthy animal is going to perfrom Umrah with his hands red with the blood of innocent people of Pakistan, in fact, he is going to get rewards and orders from his Saudi masters for his brilliant performance...... may God take his senses at his Holy Home (Ameen)
@Kaz: "there is huge difference between 2 and 26 deaths. This irresponsible newpaper needs to correct its figures"
The 2 deaths reported are in Muzaffargarh. The 26 you refer to are in Mastung and the newspaper clearly refers to that incident also and mentions that at this time o-one has linked the Mastung massacre to LeJ.
Please read the article carefully beofe you jump in and label this newspaper as irresponsible.
hmmm ..okay ... nice records & scores .. well what about the 72 virgins ?
why was this terrorist bailed in the first place ?
House arrest or under the protection of Punjab Govt?? Credit goes to Punjab Govt for Mastung massacre
The police force is there to create a safe , secure and peaceful environment from which he can operate.
@Aftab Kenneth Wilson: Interesting option for the Government. Can you please suggest any area in Pakistan which can't be turned into ONE you are proposing.
It is now time for the government to carve a certain area in Pakistan (like KALA PANI) for these types of hate mongers where they can stay and REST IN PEACE. without Amen.
And yet the CJ Pakistan would not take suo moto, but will take it for petty cases like alchohal or adultery
Are we even humans where peoplelike these kind of sick mental retards? Who preach hatred? Honestly even the educated people fell for this kind of crap. I am unsure how can we say we are humans. We keep on using bad language for u.s and europe but atleast they are humans and we are not even humans. Being muslim is out of questions. I hope this hatred finishes up soon and people realize the true message of islam is love and peach.
He is gift of punjab government, Punjab Government paid stipen to his family, cleared from 100 murder casses or released with dignity, well done. THis is the reward for Malik as he supported PMLN in midterm election in Jhang or Faislabad.
Why media is not highlighting this.
House arrest? This is unfair and cruel Please confine him to a five star hotel`
send him back to prison ... lock him up for an indefinite period and throw away the keys
Fanatics & extremists like Malik Ishaq are defaming Islam & Pakistan.
Amazing !!!!!
police protection? the guy should be left for the dogs. If ever I wanted anyone 'encountered' it was the likes of him!
VIOLENCE in Muzaffargarh, ruthless killings /murders in Blauchistan of the Zaireens going to Iran!! This is what happens when you release leader of terrorist organization!!!