On Monday, Punjab Police detained renowned Islamic scholar and YouTube personality Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza from Jhelum, citing 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—an engineer by profession and a former government employee—first garnered attention through his YouTube lectures, which later amassed more than 3 million subscribers.
This is not the first time he has faced legal scrutiny. In 2020, Mirza was briefly arrested on allegations of hate speech targeting religious figures, though he was released on bail a few days later. Then, in April 2023, a case under Section 295C (blasphemy) of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered against him, alleging derogatory remarks about Islam’s sacred personalities and the Quran; complaints also suggested comparisons between Ahmadis and Muslims, attracting further 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 remains a polarizing figure—admired by many followers for his analytical approach, yet condemned by critics for tone and controversial interpretations of religious subjects.
