RAWALPINDI(National times)- The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on Wednesday granted bail to religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in a blasphemy case that has drawn significant public attention. Reports in local media suggest Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan approved the bail on the condition that Mirza submit two surety bonds of Rs500,000 each, directing that the mandatory sureties be deposited before the order takes effect. The decision followed a review of the record and arguments from both sides.
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza booked under section 295-C
The case stems from an FIR registered in Jhelum, alleging that a video circulating on social media contains derogatory remarks and a misinterpretation of Quranic verses. The FIR invokes Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which mandates the death penalty for defiling the name of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, which addresses content inciting sectarian or interfaith hatred. Mirza was initially arrested on 26 August and detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order. The provision empowers authorities to detain individuals deemed a threat to public order. He was later handed over to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing following the registration of the blasphemy case.
FIA proceedings
During Wednesday’s hearing, the FIA’s counsel informed the court that a religious decree had been issued against Mirza. Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan directed the counsel to submit any such document before the trial court, observing that the High Court would confine itself to issues relevant to bail. He noted that all evidence, supporting material, and any religious opinion would be assessed at the trial stage.
Engineer Ali Mirza remanded for 7 days in blasphemy case
In September, the FIA obtained a seven-day physical remand of Mirza from a Rawalpindi district court. Senior Civil Judge Waqar Hussain Gondal instructed the agency to complete its investigation and present the accused again on 19 September. The proceedings drew heightened interest due to Mirza’s widespread online reach and contentious religious commentary. Mirza has also filed a separate petition in the Lahore High Court challenging the FIA’s inquiry. Submitted through Advocate Nabeel Javed Kahlon, the petition argues that the agency sent one of his videos to the Punjab Quran Board for a fatwa without issuing him a notice. It contends that the Board declared him culpable on the basis of an old video despite lacking the authority to issue religious decrees, as its mandate is limited to overseeing Quran publication standards. The petition requests that the fatwa be annulled and the investigation halted. Mirza, who operates the Quran-o-Sunnat Research Academy in Jhelum, has more than 3.14 million subscribers on YouTube, with a catalogue of over 2,400 videos. Local authorities have sealed his academy, and security personnel remain deployed at the site and at his residence.
