The government has accepted the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl group's (JUI-F) demand to reconstruct the demolished Madni Masjid in Islamabad, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.
Following successful negotiations between the two sides, the government agreed not only to rebuild the mosque but also to refrain from demolishing other mosques in the federal capital.
Two rounds of talks took place between government representatives and JUI-F leaders. The government side was led by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, while the JUI-F delegation included Central Secretary General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Islamabad Ameer Mufti Owais Aziz, and other religious scholars.
Senior officials, including the CDA Chairman, the Islamabad Inspector General of Police, and the Deputy Commissioner, also participated in the negotiations.
The dispute arose after the Capital Development Authority (CDA), in a joint operation with heavy machinery and security provided by the Islamabad administration and police, demolished the Madni Masjid and its adjoining seminary.
The mosque was razed on Saturday night, following the demolition of the seminary a day earlier (Friday night). Within hours of clearing the debris, CDA’s environment wing planted tree saplings on the site.
Minister Talal Chaudhry said in a statement that the seminary was demolished with the consent of its management, adding that a new facility capable of housing 200 students had been built at an alternative location for Rs 40 million.
However, JUI-F spokesman Aslam Ghori strongly condemned the demolition, as did the Wafaqul Madaris leadership in a statement issued Sunday.
They said the action had caused unrest among the public and religious circles, particularly amid reports that other mosques in the capital might also be targeted for demolition.
Reporter: Usman Khan