JUI-F stages protests across K-P to condemn Mastung attack

Party's K-P leader says "enemies of Islam" are punishing JUI-F for its patriotism

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chapter of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) held protests across the province on Sunday to condemn the bomb attack on the party's central leader and Senate Deputy Chairman Abdul Ghafoor Haideri in Mastung, Balochistan that killed 26 people.

JUI-F chief Mualana Fazlur Rehman had called for countrywide protests following Friday's attack in which Haideri had survived with minor injuries.

A protest rally was held in Namak Mandi, Peshawar led by JUI-F K-P leaders Ghulam Ali, Abdul Jalil Jan, Maulana Khairul Bashar and Maulana Amanullah.

The protesters carried placards condemning the incident and chanted slogans against it. Addressing the protesters, Maulana Bashar said the JUI-F had recently arranged its centenary celebrations to spread the message of peace in the entire country but despite that its party leader was attacked.

He added that by carrying out such attacks, the "enemies of Islam" were trying to stop the JUI-F from continuing its efforts for peace in the region.



“The enemies of Islam are trying to punish the JUI-F leadership for its patriotism,” he claimed.

Other party leaders also spoke on the occasion. They condemned the attack and expressed their resolve to carry on efforts to promote the cause of Islam.

Similar protests were held in several districts of the province and the adjacent tribal agencies.

Haideri’s convoy was targeted by a suicide bomber on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway in Mastung, Balochistan when he was returning from a seminary after attending a certificate distribution ceremony. Terrorist group Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the attack.