Tariq Jameel Attends Vigil For Alleged Rawalpindi Mafioso Taji Khokhar, Fueling Online Indignation

Tariq Jameel Attends Vigil For Alleged Rawalpindi Mafioso Taji Khokhar, Fueling Online Indignation
Photos of Tariq Jameel weeping and praying at a memorial service for Taji Khokhar have created outrage online at the religious figure's presence at the funeral of the Rawalpindi gangster. The popular Islamic preacher was recorded attending the occasion last week.

https://twitter.com/faraz_lhr/status/1479638888033439749?s=24

In addition to being a frequent television and media presence, Tariq Jamel is also affiliated with the proselytising organization Tableeghi Jamaat

Taji Khokhar, known for the allegations of criminal activities and land-grabbing against him, as well as his controversial allegiance to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), died on January 6.  Last year, the Rawalpindi police had placed him in the Fourth Schedule list of terrorists.

Twitter users did not take kindly to what was seen as Tariq Jameel's lack of condemnation.

https://twitter.com/documaraftab/status/1479558306922319876

"Maulvi Tariq Jameel has addressed the anniversary of the late Underworld Don of Rawalpindi. But I have never seen him praying in a slum or in a poor house," one commentator wrote about the popular religious figure's conspicous attendance of Khokar's funeral.

https://twitter.com/say2yasin/status/1479058118457933828

https://twitter.com/IamShzb/status/1479451753695297545

Others questioned why such a popular figure was "providing legitimacy to every fraud / thug in this country," while another alleged that he was a "maulana on hire."

https://twitter.com/BeingKamil/status/1479696709215207426





In 2020, Tariq Jameel received condemnation for blaming the coronavirus pandemic on "shameless, scantily-dressed women" during a fundraising telethon.  He later apologised for his remarks. This is not the only time that his activities in public were seen as controversial endorsements.