Police have arrested prominent cleric and YouTube preacher Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) 1960, following complaints lodged by various religious parties. He has been shifted to jail, officials confirmed Tuesday.
According to police, Mirza’s detention was carried out under Section 3 of the MPO 1960, a provision that authorizes authorities to arrest individuals deemed a threat to public safety or the maintenance of public order. The move follows formal complaints filed by multiple religious parties against the cleric.
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza is a well-known preacher with a significant digital following. His YouTube channel has amassed over 3.1 million subscribers and features more than 2,400 videos on religious discourse and contemporary issues.
Mirza has remained a controversial figure due to his outspoken views, which have often drawn criticism from religious groups. In 2021, he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when assailants attacked him with a knife during one of his weekly lectures, leaving him injured.
The authorities have not yet disclosed the duration of his detention or whether further legal proceedings will be initiated. His arrest is likely to spark debate, given his substantial online influence and history of clashes with religious groups.
