Man wishing to meet Mufti Taqi Usmani being interrogated, did not have malicious intent: police

• Man wishing to meet Mufti Taqi Usmani was erroneously suspected to be behind an assassination attempt.
• He was only following the religious scholar after Fajr prayers to seek a meeting with him, say police.
• Police add that he had no malicious intent.

KARACHI: After the initial scare on Thursday of a suspected assassination attempt on Mufti Taqi Usmani, Vice President of Dar-ul-Uloom in Korangi, it has emerged that the man suspected of being an attacker had only wished to meet the religious scholar and does not appear to have harboured any malicious intent, police said.

According to SSP Korangi Shahjahan, the 35-year-old did not attack Mufti Usmani and had simply sought a meeting with the scholar after Fajr prayers.

The SSP said the man revealed he was tired of frequent quarelling with his family and had tried to approach Mufti Usmani to ask him to pray for him.

According to the police officer, he chose the time of Fajr as Mufti Usmani is usually free at the time.

The SSP said the man is a resident of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Further questioning was underway at the time this report was filed.

Earlier, it was reported that Mufti Usmani was saved from what was suspected to be an assassination attempt.

Mufti Usmani was walking with his guards by his side after Fajr prayers when the man (viewed to be suspicious at the time) started to follow him.

His guards took him into custody and upon a body search, it was found he was carrying a small knife.

He was later turned over to the police.

Mufti Taqi Usmani confirms he is safe

Shortly after the incident, Usmani released an audio message in which he reassured his followers that he is safe. 

"A suspect came to me after the Fajr prayers and asked to speak to me in private," he said. "I had just gotten up to speak to him when the suspect pulled out a knife from his pocket," revealed the scholar. 

Usmani said his 'followers' seized the suspect before he could injure him, thanking God for keeping him safe. 

"The relevant authorities are investigating the matter," he said. "The situation will become clearer after the probe concludes," he added.

Sheikh Rasheed expresses concern

Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed spoke to Usmani over the phone to express concern over the incident. 

The minister inquired about the incident from the religious scholar, and praised him for being the "pride of Islam". 

"I am very concerned about the suspected attack on you," said Rasheed, praying for the scholar's health and long life.