Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza released from Adiala Jail in blasphemy case
Pakistan
The Lahore High Court has granted bail to religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza in a Jhelum blasphemy case, leading to his release from Adiala Jail after the submission of surety bonds.
RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) – Religious scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza was released from Adiala Jail on Friday, following the approval of his bail by the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench in a blasphemy case registered in Jhelum.
The decision came two days after the court reviewed arguments presented by his legal team and directed the submission of two surety bonds worth Rs500,000 each, which were deposited prior to his release.
Mirza had approached the Rawalpindi Bench seeking bail in connection with an FIR lodged in Jhelum. The case alleges 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 carries the death penalty for defiling the name of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), alongside Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, relating to content that may incite sectarian or interfaith hatred.
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan heard the bail petition on 3 December. Mirza’s counsel, Advocate Tahir Ayubi, presented detailed arguments, urging the court to consider the nature of the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the FIR. The judge reviewed the available record and the submissions from both sides before granting the bail request.
The court directed Mirza to provide two surety bonds worth Rs500,000 each, noting that the order would take effect only after the mandatory sureties were deposited. Once the bonds were submitted, prison authorities initiated formal release procedures, which concluded on Friday afternoon. Officials confirmed that all legal requirements were fulfilled before the cleric walked out of Adiala Jail.
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza secures bail as LHC reviews blasphemy allegations
Mirza was initially arrested on 26 August under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order, a provision that empowers authorities to detain individuals whose actions may be deemed threatening to public safety. He was later transferred to the FIA Cyber Crime Wing after the registration of the blasphemy case, where investigators proceeded under both the Pakistan Penal Code and PECA.
Reports indicate that a religious decree was issued against Mirza, prompting additional inquiries by the authorities. During the bail hearing, the FIA’s counsel informed the court of the decree and attempted to introduce it into the case record. Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, however, instructed the agency to present any such document before the trial court, observing that the High Court’s jurisdiction at this stage was limited to the question of bail.
In September, a Rawalpindi district court granted the FIA a seven-day physical remand of Mirza. Senior Civil Judge Waqar Hussain Gondal directed investigators to complete their inquiries and present the accused again on 19 September. The proceedings drew attention due to Mirza’s large online following and his often controversial religious discourse.
Mirza has also filed a separate petition in the Lahore High Court challenging aspects of 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 an opinion without issuing him a notice. It maintains that the Board declared him culpable on the basis of an old video, despite lacking the authority to issue a fatwa, as its mandate is confined to overseeing the publication, printing, and accuracy of the Quranic text. The petition seeks the annulment of the Board’s opinion and the suspension of the ongoing investigation.
Who is Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza?
Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza operates the Quran-o-Sunnat Research Academy in Jhelum and maintains a substantial digital presence, with more than 3.14 million subscribers on his YouTube channel and a catalogue exceeding 2,400 videos. His commentary on religious issues has periodically drawn strong reactions, elevating the visibility and sensitivity of legal proceedings involving him.
Local administrators have sealed his academy, and security personnel remain deployed at both the premises and his residence. Officials have stated that these measures are precautionary, given the high-profile nature of the case and previous incidents involving the cleric. In 2021, Mirza survived a knife attack during one of his lectures, suffering injuries before being moved to safety.
With the court-mandated conditions met and the bail order implemented, Mirza’s legal team has indicated that it will contest the remaining charges through the proper judicial forums. Authorities have reiterated that the trial and related inquiries will continue under the relevant laws.
