Province-wide strike as JUI-F leader laid to rest

Party holds protest rallies demanding justice

QUETTA: A complete shutter down strike was observed in different parts of Balochistan on Sunday as a central leader of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Mohammad Hanif, who was killed in an IED blast at Taj road, Chaman on Saturday with two others, was laid to rest.

The shutter-down strike observed in Quetta was called by the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazal Ur Rehman and was supported by the trade unions. All the major business centres and markets of the provincial capital were shut down in response to the call.

The shutter-down strike was also observed in Chaman as well as in other parts of Balochistan, including Pishin, Hub, Sibi, Noshki and Harnai district.

JUI-F leaders and workers carried out protests and rallies across the province demanding for justice. “It is state’s responsibility to capture the culprits,” the JUI-F chief said.

JUI-F leader Muhammad Hanif, two others martyred in Chaman blast

Thousands attended the funeral prayers of the JUI-F leader Maulana Muhammad Hanif, including provincial Ameer of JUI-F's Balochistan, Maulana Abdul Wasay, Senator Usman Khan Kakar, provincial president of Awami National Party Asghar Khan Achakzai and MNA Salahuddin Ayubi. Commandant of the Frontier Corps Chaman Scouts wing Col Khurram Javed, Chaman Deputy Commissioner Bashir Khan and District Police Officer Shaukat Khan Mohammad also attended the funeral prayers.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unknown attackers by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in connection with Saturday’s motorbike bomb blast at Taj road that killed three people and left 17 others injured.

The FIR was registered on Sunday under sections 302 (punishment for premeditated murder), 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

According to police, the bomb was an improvised explosive device (IED) which was planted in a motorcycle parked on the roadside.

Maulana Muhammad Hanif was critically injured in the bomb blast and was being shifted to the Quetta hospital from Chaman when he succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. Police said Maulana Muhammad Hanif was the target of the attack.

The blast occurred just kilometres away from the country’s border with Afghanistan and shattered windows of nearby buildings.

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Party chief Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the incident, saying, “I am deeply grieved by his death.”

He said that Hanif was a sincere leader, adding that “this heinous attack is part of the plot to destabilise the country.”

President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the blast and expressed his deep grief and sorrow on the death of Hanif and the other victims. He said the culprits are the enemies of peace and development of Balochistan.

Alvi also directed for provision of best medical facilities to the injured persons and prayed for their early recovery.

Similarly, Prime Minister Imran Khan has also strongly condemned the blast. In a statement, he expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives including the JUI leader.

He also expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of injured. He directed to provide all possible treatment to them.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th, 2019.