Maulana Sami’s son named JUI-S acting chief

Hamid demands swift action in arresting the culprits behind his father’s assassination

PESHAWAR: Two days after the demise of Maulana Samiul Haq, the top leadership of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) on Sunday appointed his son Maulana Hamidul Haq as acting chief of the party.

Maulana Hamid will remain the acting chief and the office-bearers intact till further notice.

This was announced during a Majlis-e-Amla meeting held at the Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, Nowshera.

The meeting was held under the patronage of JUI-S General Secretary Maulana Abdul Rauf along with Vice President Maulana Bashir Ahmed Shad and other party leaders.

Talking to the media, Maulana Shad said, “Yes, we know it is the hour of grief and an uphill task, but we had to decide on the replacement and his son was the best choice.”

The newly-appointed JUI-S leader said, “It’s the government’s responsibility to point out the forces responsible for the murder of the JUI-S chief (Samiul Haq).”

He demanded swift action in arresting the culprits behind the assassination of his father, saying his father was struggling to end militancy in the country.

“My father played a positive role in maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan, and I will continue to do the same,” said Hamid. “We will find a rational and Islamic method to resolve the Afghan dispute.”

He further said sooner or later the forces of evil, who brutally murdered his father, would be brought to justice for their heinous act.
He urged the apex court to revisit the decision in Aasia Bibi’s case and reinstate the judgement of the lower courts.



Senator Mushahid Hussain, Minister for Defence Pervez Khattak, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao also visited Darul Uloom Haqqania and paid homage to the departed soul of Maulana Samiul Haq.

Early life and education

Of the nine children of Maulana Sami, Hamid is the second son from his first wife.

He received his religious as well as school education from his grandfather Maulana Abdul Haq at the Haqqania High School located within the premises of the madrassa.

He did his bachelors in Islamic studies from Nowshera Degree College and masters from the Punjab University in Theology in the late 80s.

He also completed his Shahadatul Almia course from Darul Uloom Haqqania.

Later, he married his cousin, who also belongs to a religious family of renowned scholar Maulana Ashraf Ali Qureshi, chairman of the Jamia Ashrafia Peshawar. He is the father of two sons.

Political career
At the age of 53, he is said to be a replica of his father in religious as well as political activities.

He started his political career by joining JUI-S student wing Islami Jamiat Taleba as secretary general in 1985.

Taking into account his prudence in political and religious affairs, the shura members of the party elevated him to vice ameer of the JUI-S.



From Muttahia Majlis-e-Amal’s platform, he was elected as member of the National Assembly from NA-6, Nowshera-1 in 2002 by defeating Pakistan Peoples Party stalwart Maj Gen (retd) Naseerullah Khan Babar.

His party stayed away in the 2008 election, stood second to PTI in 2013 election while in the recent election, his father announced support for the PTI and didn’t contest.

Role in Afghan peace initiative
Maulana Hamid has the same understanding as his father had of political affairs as well as the Afghan issue, according to his family member.

He has great influence over and respect in all Taliban ranks due to his father.
He was his father’s companion and a teacher of many Taliban commanders in Afghanistan.

“He was a part of every meeting his father held for bringing stability and peace in Afghanistan and the Taliban to the negotiating table, so we hope he will do everything possible to carry forward his father’s mission,” a family source said.

Court proceedings against Sharif enter final stage
JIT head’s cross-examination likely to be completed today