Controversy over proposed demolition of Peshawar mosque deepens.

PESHAWAR -- The controversy over the proposed demolition of Speen Jumaat deepened as Peshawar mayor, chairmen of several tehsils and religious and political leaders on Tuesday extended support to the mosque protection committee in opposition to the plan of district administration to pull down the structure.

'The district administration must desist from any intervention in the Speen Jumaat issue as we do not want a clash between people and administration that can result in chaos,' Peshawar Mayor Haji Zubair Ali told a press conference on the mosque premises.

The mayor also announced Rs15 million for renovation, beautification and improving drainage and important construction of the mosque.

Prior to the press conference, a consultative meeting was held wherein all the leaders presented suggestions and discussed in detail the current situation regarding the mosque.

Mayor, political leaders extend support to Speen Juamaat protection committee

Besides the mayor, the meeting was attended by JUI-F leader Maulana Amanullah Haqqani, Mathra tehsil chairman Faridullah, Pashtakhara tehsil chairman Haroon Siffat, PML-N leader Arbab Khizr Hayat, Mufti Naeem Jan, Maulana Rafiullah Usmani, members of the committee for protection of Speen Jumaat and local elders. All of them were also present during the press conference.

Addressing the press conference, the mayor said that the attitude of the officials of the district administration about the proposed demolition showed that they were pressurised by a political party.

He termed it unacceptable.

'No one will be allowed to use the land of the Peshawar metropolitan government in the presence of the relevant law and institution,' he said without naming the district administration.

The mayor said that he would order an inquiry to...