January 9, 2002	Wednesday	Shawwal 24, 1422

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has detected some 69 unauthorized mosques and Madaris in the Capital that are likely to be removed soon.

This was said at a high-level meeting held at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) main office on Monday.

The meeting was presided over by Islamabad chief commissioner Mir Laiq Shah. Others who attended the meeting included inspector general police, deputy commissioner, and senior officials of the CDA and the ICT administration.

The meeting stressed the need for removal of all unauthorized mosques and Madaris in Islamabad. In this connection, the chief commissioner directed the official concerned to chalk out a plan to provide alternative places to the mosques’ administrations, etc.

The meeting was informed that out of the 400 mosques and Madaris in the Capital, 69 were unauthorized. These were reportedly established on roadsides and in green belts in violation of the CDA’s building laws.

“In some cases, the CDA has allowed only two rooms for mosques, but violating the Authority’s rules, huge buildings have been constructed”, the chief commissioner was informed.

In most of the cases, Madaris were not allowed, but almost every unauthorized mosque had one in its premises.

The meeting was informed that some 12,000 to 15,000 students were studying in these Madaris, who could become violent and create law and order situation if any action was taken against these establishments.

The chief commissioner directed the officials concerned to hold negotiations with the administrations of unauthorized mosques to resolve the issue peacefully.

A source told Dawn that the ICT administration had been directed by the government to launch a crackdown on Madaris in the Capital.