Peshawar (June 24, 2017): Peshawar’s Masjid Qasim Ali Khan-based unofficial Moon Sighting Body’s head Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai has reportedly gone missing while going to Islamabad along with one of his aides.
The news of his missing has prompted his followers and residents of Peshawar to take to streets, who warned that if he was not released they would seal Qissa Khwani bazaar in protest.
Poplazai, head a parallel though unofficial body to see moon especially on Eids and Ramzan, often announce Eid or Ramzan before the official body.
There has been growing calls to check the cleric from creating division among people by announcing Eid and Ramzan before the announcement of official body.
Sources close to Popalzai said that the cleric along with his aide Maulana Khairul Bashar had gone to Islamabad few days ago.
He went missing mysteriously. When his family and followers tried to contact him his cell phone found switched off.
Inamullah Khan, son of Maulana Khairul Bashar, conformed that his father and Popalzai had been missing for the last three days after setting out to Islamabad from Peshawar.
The news of Popalzai’s missing spread like a jungle fire in the provincial metropolis and appeals were made on social media asking citizens to reach Qasim Ali Khan mosque to stage protest against his missing.
A large number of people gathered at Qasim Ali Khan mosque after Zuhur prayer and protested against disappearance of the cleric.
They demanded immediate release of the cleric.
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