Two clerics from the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah here returned from Pakistan on Monday after they went untraceable in the neighbouring country last week. They said they were questioned by Pakistani authorities on the basis of a “false” newspaper report.
A few hours after their return, Syed Asif Ali Nizami, the head priest of the shrine, and his nephew Nazim Ali Nizami, met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Mr. Nazim Nizami spoke to the media, but was cautious about divulging the details about how they spent the days between March 15, when the family last heard from them, and March 19, when they were let off.
Travel details
“After spending nearly a week in Karachi, we went to Lahore on March 13 by air, after which we reached Pakpattan by road to a shrine and then returned to Lahore to offer prayers at Data Durbar. After attending a few functions, we went back to Karachi and now here we are,” Mr. Nazim Nizami said.
Asked why they remained incommunicado, the cleric blamed a Pakistani newspaper, Ummat , for publishing a news report. He said they were asked about their visa and other immigration details.
Mr. Asif Ali Nizami’s son Sajid said the paper published a couple of reports, the second time in the March 19 edition with Mr. Nazim’s picture on it.
“The report linked them to Indian Intelligence and the MQM movement in Pakistan. Our family had nothing to do with either,” Mr. Sajid Nizami said.
