Islamabad Mosque Rebuilt After Demolition Dispute

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ISLAMABAD, Several religious groups began reconstruction of a mosque on Murree Road on Friday after it was demolished earlier this week by the capital administration for allegedly violating building regulations.

The site, known as Madni Mosque, became the center of Friday prayers and a protest against the authorities’ decision. Officials from the capital administration and police demolished the mosque overnight and cleared the area.

Protesters said the mosque had been established before the partition of the Indian subcontinent, long before Islamabad was developed as a federal capital. They gathered at the site to collect debris and reconstruct a symbolic structure of the mosque as part of the protest.

Authorities deployed a police contingent to maintain order during the announced gathering. Tensions rose when the crowd and police confronted each other, resulting in a brief physical altercation. A senior police officer later intervened and mediated, after which the police withdrew from the site.

At least five complaints have been filed at the Secretariat police station, calling for cases against multiple officials, including the interior minister, the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the deputy commissioner of Islamabad, and the inspector general of police. The complaints cite sections 295, 297, and 298 of Pakistan’s legal code. Police have acknowledged receipt of the complaints, but formal receipts have not yet been issued.

No official statement has been released by the CDA or the Ministry of Interior regarding the mosque’s demolition or the ongoing reconstruction.

Observers say disputes over religious sites are not uncommon in Pakistan, where urban development sometimes conflicts with long-standing structures. The reconstruction effort by religious groups underscores the cultural and historical significance of the site for the local community.

The situation drew national attention, highlighting tensions between religious communities and federal authorities over urban planning and property regulation. Authorities state the demolition followed Islamabad’s building regulations, while residents contend the mosque has historical and religious significance that warrants preservation.

The Madni Mosque incident raises broader questions about the balance between urban development and religious rights in Pakistan’s capital. International human rights organizations monitor such cases, noting the need to uphold freedom of religion while ensuring compliance with local regulations.

As reconstruction continues, officials have yet to indicate whether further legal action or negotiations with religious groups will take place. Community leaders have urged calm and called for dialogue to prevent further conflict.

The ongoing events at Murree Road reflect the complexities of urban governance in Islamabad, where administrative regulations intersect with deeply rooted religious and cultural traditions.