Islamabad Court Approves Four-Day Remand for Lal Masjid Cleric’s Wife, Others

Islamabad: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has remanded Ume Hassan, wife of Lal Masjid cleric, along with 12 others in police custody for four days in connection with an armed attack on a government vehicle and staff.

The accused, comprising six women and seven men, were apprehended on Wednesday night from Madani Mosque in Margalla Town. They were presented before ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, where the prosecution sought a five-day physical remand. A case against them was registered at Shahzad Town Police Station under anti-terrorism laws.

During the proceedings, the defense counsel opposed the remand, arguing that the accused were detained at the Madani Mosque and questioned what the police intended to recover from them. Ume Hassan contended that the dispute arose over the mosque and that she was attempting to negotiate with the authorities when she was taken into custody.

The police maintained that the disputed site was allocated for a madressah and that construction work was ongoing when the accused allegedly attacked government officials and seized building materials. The prosecution stressed the necessity of remand to facilitate the arrest of other suspects involved in the case.

Judge Sipra expressed reservations over the need for remand, questioning, “If they were arrested on the spot, what can be recovered from them?” The police argued that additional accomplices still needed to be apprehended. The judge also noted that Ume Hassan had four prior cases against her. In response, her lawyer stated that they had only recently been informed and would appear in court accordingly.

The judge further remarked on the recurring conflicts at religious sites, stating, “Why do they fight at mosques, temples, and Imambargahs? When will disputes at places of worship cease?”

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court approved a four-day physical remand for all the accused, handing them over to the police for further investigation.