Despite being on the fourth schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Maulana Abdul Aziz addressed the Friday congregation at Lal Masjid after more than three years when he was removed from the mosque in a bid to curb elements spreading hate speech.
During his address, the Lal Masjid cleric questioned why the authorities barred him from approaching Lal Masjid saying he and his followers were not violating any law. He also called for implementing Sharia law in the country. Though Aziz addressed the congregation, the prayers were led by Siddique, according to a media report.
The last time he led Friday prayers at the mosque was on December 24, 2014. He was then barred from leading Friday prayers at the mosque due to law and order concerns as civil society members gathered outside the mosque to protest against him and the terrorist attack on APS that killed over 150 people, mostly school children in 2014.
“Today, the PML-N government is gone and we also did not announce it beforehand,” the spokesman said. He confirmed that Aziz was still placed under observation as his name was included in fourth schedule but insisted that it did not bar him from leading prayers and delivering sermons.