On Monday, Punjab Police arrested famous Islamic scholar and YouTube star Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in Jhelum. They cited actions under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. According to authorities, the arrest was executed following multiple complaints and ongoing grievances filed against him. Mirza has been transferred to jail for formal proceedings.
Background: Controversies and Prior Legal Cases
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza is a professional engineer and a former government worker. He first gained attention with his YouTube lectures. These lectures later attracted over 3 million subscribers.
This is not the first time he has faced legal scrutiny. In 2020, Mirza was arrested for hate speech against religious figures. He was released on bail a few days later. In April 2023, a case was filed against him under Section 295C (blasphemy) of the Pakistan Penal Code. The case claimed he made disrespectful remarks about Islam’s holy figures and the Quran. Complaints also said he compared Ahmadis to Muslims, which led to more criticism.
The MPO case stems from claims that Mirza’s statements had stirred public unrest, prompting a complaint under Section 16 of the ordinance.
Muhammad Ali Mirza is a polarizing figure. Many followers admire him for his analytical approach. However, critics condemn him for his tone and controversial views on religious topics.
