Under attack, JUI-F chief lashes out at interim govt

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said his party wants to provide solutions to problems at the doorstep of the people.

MANSEHRA:

Shaken by the deadly blast on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) rally in Kurram Agency, which claimed the lives of over 25 party activists on Monday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed the interim government had miserably failed to protect political parties and their workers.

Addressing a public meeting as part of his ongoing election campaign, Fazl maintained the sitting government and election commission were supposed to ensure security in election meetings of all political parties. He, however, lamented the continuous spate of terror attacks and election-related violence had “exposed the arrangements the government boasts of.”

Urging the masses to rid the society of sectarian differences, Fazl said hatred could only be brought to an end by promoting brotherhood. “We cannot convert a Shia into a Sunni and the latter into a Shia.”

Claiming his party has always envisioned peaceful coexistence among different sects, Fazl reiterated his party’s stance on changing the socio-political culture by addressing the needs of the people.

Citing the example of caliphs, he said his party wants to provide solutions to problems at the doorstep of the people. “They (caliphs) used to roam the streets and visit homes, asking what difficulties the people faced,” said the maulana.

A powerful bomb ripped through a JUI-F rally in Sewak area of Kurram Agency leaving 18 people dead and over 50 others injured on Monday. Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed responsibility, saying the attack was meant to target JUI-F leader Munir Orakzai who escaped unhurt.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2013.