Five Pakistani men have been arrested by Saudi authorities for insulting Pakistan’s Information Minister, Marriyam Aurangzeb, and Minister for Narcotics Control Shahzain Bugti in Masjid-e-Nabvi.
They have also been arrested for insulting and abusing a woman and her companions in the courtyard of the Holy Prophet’s Mosque. The spokesperson of Madina Police said that: “The suspects were “referred to the competent authorities after legal procedures were completed against them.”
He continued: “Their actions contradict the sanctity of the place and impact the safety of visitors and worshipers.”
The spokesperson said that they have been arrested on the charges of violating the rules and code of conduct at Masjid-e-Nabvi. The videos had been circulating on social media since the incident had happened on Friday.
Saudi authorities have not shared what further actions will be taken against them. However, reports were rife that Saudi authorities have announced a 60,000 Riyal fine, five months in jail, and a permanent ban for life in Kingdom for PTI supporters. No such reports have appeared so far in the media.
The police in #Madinah arrested five Pakistanis for insulting and abusing a woman and her companions of Pakistani nationality in the courtyard of the Prophet’s Mosque. https://t.co/W0zy50IEt6
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) April 29, 2022
Tough legal action?
Meanwhile, PTI member Sahibzade Jehangir has denied the news of his arrest along with businessman Aneel Musarat. They were also there to perform Umrah.
Minister for Interior Rana Sana Ullah Khan strongly condemned the disrespectful incident that occurred at Masjid-e-Nabvi said on Friday. He said that the government would request Saudi Arabia to take appropriate action against those who used indecent language on the premises of Masjid-e-Nabvi and misbehaved with ministers.
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Addressing a press conference along with Adviser to PM on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, he said the interior ministry had sought advice from the law department about taking legal action against the culprits.
The law ministry had also been asked to assist that whether cases could be filed here in Pakistan, he said.
He said violating the sanctity of Masjid-e-Nabvi was a “shameful act”. “What happened in Medina last night was saddening and badly damaged our image,” he said.