Copy of warning notice issued to Maulana Abdul Aziz.— Photo by author This is not the first time Aziz has vowed to enforce Sharia in the country. Earlier in April 2007, Lal Masjid clerics had vowed to enforce what they called ‘Shariat’ (Islamic system) in the country even if the government does not want to do so. The Lal Masjid administration had also threatened to unleash a wave of suicide bombers if the government took any action to counter it.
The announcement was followed by agitation which erupted into street battles around the mosque between security forces and militants. At least nine people died and some 150 were injured.
Also read: A chronology of Lal Masjid saga
Security forces had then laid siege to the mosque, later demanding an unconditional surrender and the release of alleged hostages held inside. Aziz was arrested sneaking out of the mosque dressed in a burqa.
Read: Lal Masjid protest: FIR registered against Maulana Aziz
Later in December 2014, a First Information Report (FIR) was also registered against Maulana Abdul Aziz at Islamabad's Aabpara Police Station upon unremitting pressure exerted from protesting civil society.
Civil society was responding to a statement by Maulana Abdul Aziz in which he refused to condemn the massacre of students and teachers in a terrorist attack on an army-run school in Peshawar on December 16, 2014.
Also read: Lal Masjid denies Nisar claim of written apology on APS remarks
Security agencies, in January 2015, had also warned the government that due to his links with known militant groups and his anti-government rhetoric, the resurgence of Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Aziz posed a security threat to the law and order situation in the capital.
The warning came after a video message by students of Jamia Hafsa, in which they had invited the self-styled Islamic State (IS) chief Abu Bakar al-Baghdadi to ‘avenge’ the 2007 military raid on Lal Masjid. A report by the Islamabad police, sent to the interior ministry had termed the invitation as “waging war” against the state.
Also read: Sons of former Lal Masjid cleric arrested in Islamabad
Recently in September 2015, two sons of deceased Lal Masjid cleric Ghazi Abdul Rasheed, Haris and Haroon were arrested from Islamabad's F-6 sector by a joint team of Police and Rangers, who were patrolling the area at the time.
An army uniform and a handgun were seized from their vehicle. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against for the possession of a weapon at the Kohsar police station.
Also read: NAP, Nacta & NS
The National Action Plan was devised to eliminate terrorism from the country, in the aftermath of the Peshawar tragedy. Similarly the Necta was also constituted to fight terrorism. It was revised in the wake of a deadliest terrorist attack on the Army Public School.
A consolidated report on NAP implementation, prepared by the interior ministry after its conception, showed it as vague at best and raised more questions than it answers.
Later in July this year Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja had also termed NAP as "a joke" and lambasted the government over its inaction over the issue.