An Afghan national allegedly set fire to the residential quarters of a mosque imam in the Aqrab Dag area of Ahmadi Kor, Tehsil Pandiali, District Mohmand, after being removed from his position as prayer leader, causing partial damage to the mosque and sparking outrage among the local population.
According to details, residents of Lower Mohmand had recently replaced an Afghan refugee named Abdullah, who had been serving as the mosque’s imam, with a new prayer leader. Abdullah, reportedly the younger brother of Qari Samiullah, allegedly reacted by setting fire to the room adjacent to the mosque where the new imam resides. As a result, the imam’s room and part of the mosque sustained partial damage.
Eyewitnesses and local elders, including Mohabbat Khan, Ghulam Siddiq, and Sareer Khan, stated that the accused and his family confessed to the crime in front of community members. A formal complaint was filed at the Pandiali police station on the same day; however, no legal action has been taken against the accused thus far.
The incident has triggered intense anger among residents, who are demanding swift legal action and full compensation for the damages from the personal assets of the accused. They have also called for the immediate deportation of the suspect and his family, along with a permanent ban on their re-entry into Pakistan, arguing that such measures are essential to protect Islamic sanctities and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Unconfirmed sources claim that the accused is currently being sheltered by an influential individual, avoiding arrest without fear of repercussions.
