KARACHI: Police in Karachi have resolved the mystery surrounding a satanic-looking statue that was recovered from a shop in the city’s Mehran Town area, after determining it was created for a Youm al-Quds procession .
The incident began when a video of the devil-like figure circulated widely on social media, triggering public concern and prompting police to seize the statue and shift it to a police station for investigation .
Authorities later determined that the statue was designed to resemble Baal, a figure from ancient Near Eastern religion worshipped in parts of the Levant as a storm and fertility god . The term “Baal,” derived from a Semitic word meaning “lord” or “master,” was historically used as a title for various local deities. In later Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, the name became associated with false gods or demonic imagery .
Investigation Findings
According to police officials, the statue was made of thermocol and had been commissioned by a religious scholar for a Youm al-Quds procession scheduled for Friday .
Police said the shopkeeper, identified as Imran, told investigators that the effigy had been ordered by religious scholar Allama Shabar Zaidi, who intended for it to be burned during a protest procession on Jumatul Wida, the last Friday of Ramazan .
The shopkeeper was not present during the initial police operation. However, officers later detained the craftsman who had created the statue for questioning .
After recording the sculptor’s explanatory statement, police allowed him to leave, officials said .
