Govt beefs up security of religious scholars

Also orders authorities to arrest people involved in damaging public property

LAHORE: In the wake of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq’s assassination, the Ministry of Interior, on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directives, has issued orders to beef up security of all religious scholars and leaders in the country. There are more than 250 religious scholars.

Sources told the Daily Express that circulars have been issued to the Islamabad chief commissioner, Azad Kashmir chief secretary, Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and all the four provincial governments.

According to the first circular, foolproof security would be provided to all of the top religious scholars and leaders at national level.

For the purpose, religious figures will be contacted to obtain their schedule of activities, it added.

The interior ministry has also issued orders for the arrest of those who protested against the release of Aasia Bibi.

Authorities have been ordered to identify the people, who damaged public and private property during the sit-ins, according to the second circular.

The Islamabad chief commissioner and chief secretaries of all provinces have been tasked with sending a complete report to the federal government in this regard, it stated.

The Ministry of Interior has assured the federal and provincial police force of full assistance of NADRA in identifying the suspects.



A high-level official of the federal government told the Daily Express that the ministry had issued orders to form high-level committees to identify and arrest those who damaged public and private property and chanted slogans against the army and judges.

He said that a comprehensive strategy has been devised, which will be implemented from Monday (today).

Meanwhile, a senior official of the capital police told the Daily Express that the security of religious scholars and leaders in Islamabad district has been beefed up.

They include Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, JI Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and other leaders.

He said a security division had been formed separately in Islamabad for the purpose.

He said all senior police officers in Islamabad have been directed to keep travel information of important religious leaders, who reside in Islamabad to provide security to them on arrival.