Lal Masjid clerics on Friday threatened that the government would be responsible for any untoward incident if it did not release Maulana Abdul Aziz and resolve all problems related to the mosque before Ramazan. They issued this fresh threat during a protest after midday prayer. Seminary students and other protesters shouted slogans against the US and President Pervez Muharraf. Police ringed the venue to counter violence.
Maulana Amir Siddique, deputy chief cleric of Lal Masjid, threatened that the mosque students would get Aziz released by themselves if the government failed to do so before Ramazan.
"The government should fulfill our demands, otherwise it will be responsible for any untoward incident," he said.
He said Lal Masjid clerics had stopped tent classes at the site of demolished Jamia Hafsa as a goodwill gesture, adding the government should reconstruct the seminary and start dialogue with the clerics to resolve all issues.
"They (seminarians) would start reconstruction of Jamia Hafsa by themselves if government don't do it," he said, also demanding reopening of Jamia Fareedia.
Delivering Friday sermon, Maulana Abdul Ghaffar, the chief cleric, said Musharraf should be held accountable. "People will not forgive the government if it gives Musharraf a safe passage," he said.
He claimed that Musharraf had confessed to selling Pakistanis to the US in his book so he should be put to trial. He went on to demand registration of murder cases against Musharraf for those killed in military operations against Lal Masjid clerics and militants in tribal areas. He condemned the arrest and prosecution of Dr Aafia Siddique in the US.
Ghaffar called for a halt to the ongoing military operation in Bajaur and Swat.