Police in Karachi have resolved the mystery surrounding a statue with a satanic appearance that was recovered from a shop in the city’s Mehran Town area after a viral video triggered public concern.

A video showing the statue, which resembled a devil-like figure, circulated widely on social media, prompting police to take immediate action. Officers seized the statue and shifted it to a police station for investigation.

Authorities later determined that the statue had been designed to resemble Baal, a figure from ancient Near Eastern religion. Baal was 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.

Police said the shopkeeper was not present during the initial operation. However, officers later detained the craftsman who had created the statue for questioning.

According to police officials, the statue – made of thermocol – had been commissioned by a religious scholar and prepared 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.

After recording the sculptor’s explanatory statement, police allowed him to leave, officials said.