Security authorities have arrested a cleric accused of facilitating the banned militant group Fitna Al Khawarij, who admitted to issuing religious rulings (fatwas) used to justify extortion and other unlawful activities, sources said on Wednesday.

According to official statements, the suspect, identified as Mufti Zafaryab, confessed during interrogation that he had close contacts with militant commander Hikmat Roshan and had previously been associated with the Gul Bahadur Shura.

The accused said he completed an eight-year Dars-e-Nizami course at Jamia Nizam-ul-Uloom in Bannu before obtaining a three-year specialisation in Islamic jurisprudence.

He claimed security agencies were aware of his contacts with the militant network, which ultimately led to his arrest.

According to his statement, Hikmat Roshan regularly sought “un-Islamic” religious decrees (fatwas) to justify extortion, intimidate wealthy businessmen and support militant activities carried out in the name of jihad.

The suspect also stated that militant commanders offered him and others financial incentives, positions and other benefits in exchange for their support.

Expressing remorse, Zafaryab said he regretted his actions and declared that Fitna Al Khawarij had no connection with Islam.

“They promote un-Islamic ideology and even consider the killing of Muslims to be permissible,” he said.

Officials said the investigation also revealed that militant networks were increasingly using unregistered seminaries and self-styled clerics to obtain religious justifications for terrorist activities.

Security experts said the disclosures highlighted the need for stricter oversight of unregistered seminaries and individuals issuing religious rulings without any religious backing.

They noted that an agreement reached in 2019 between Ittehad Tanzimat-e-Madaris Pakistan — the umbrella body representing religious seminaries, including Wifaq-ul-Madaris Al-Arabia — and the government requires the registration of seminaries, but stressed that greater enforcement and transparent scrutiny remain necessary.

Experts also called for stronger implementation of the National Action Plan, enhanced government oversight of religious seminaries, curriculum standardisation and improved educational standards to curb extremism and prevent the misuse of religion for militant purposes.