Farid Khan’s killing: JUI-F leader Atiqur Rehman snubs accusations
Dubs it a ‘conspiracy’ to sabotage peace in the district.
At least eight people were killed on Tuesday after violent protests flared across the district over the murder. PHOTO: FILE
HANGU:
Former MPA Atiqur Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Wednesday categorically denied allegations of involvement in the murder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Farid Khan.
Khan was shot dead near his residence close to Singair village on Monday when unidentified gunmen opened fire at his vehicle. Police said his driver and bodyguard also sustained injuries in the attack.
Following the incident, the deceased MPA’s brother, Shamsur Rehman, filed an FIR at Hangu police station accusing Atiq, his brother Shafiqur Rehman and uncle Noor Rehman of being responsible for Farid’s murder.
Speaking to journalists from an undisclosed location on Wednesday, the JUI-F leader termed Farid’s murder a conspiracy to sabotage peace in Hangu. “We condemn Farid Khan’s murder. It is a conspiracy to destabilise the peace of Hangu,” said Atiq, who lost to Farid in PK-42 in the May 11 election. “I am willing to make any clarification to the victim’s family,” he added.
Meanwhile, local JUI-F leaders including district ameer Mufti Din Azhar, Mian Hussain Jalali, Haji Gul Kareem and MPA Mufti Syed Janan also condemned the killing.
They demanded the government to expose the culprits immediately and promised the JUI-F would extend all necessary support, adding the party’s leader shared the grief of Farid’s family.
At least eight people were killed on Tuesday after violent protests flared across the district over the murder.
However, no violent incident occurred on Wednesday, while a curfew remained imposed in the district for a third consecutive day and all educational institutes remained closed.
Bomb defused
Police and the bomb disposal squad (BDS) defused a 15-kilogramme bomb planted near a mosque in Spin Khawrai area. According to a BDS official, they received a tip-off about a suspicious bag lying in the area. Police along with the BDS rushed to the site and defused the explosive device found inside the bag.
Suspects arrested
Police arrested three men suspected to be involved in the murder of a Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) employee from Thal tehsil of Hangu district.
Thal police station SHO Farid Khan said Fazal Rehman, a resident of Charsadda, was the sub divisional chairperson of Wapda’s Thal Hydro Union. Rehman was asleep when unidentified men entered his house late night on May 31 and killed him, added Khan.
The police started an investigation and apprehended Hamid Gul, Rahim Noor and Mina Gul with the help of sniffer dogs on Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2013.
Former MPA Atiqur Rehman of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Wednesday categorically denied allegations of involvement in the murder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Farid Khan.
Khan was shot dead near his residence close to Singair village on Monday when unidentified gunmen opened fire at his vehicle. Police said his driver and bodyguard also sustained injuries in the attack.
Following the incident, the deceased MPA’s brother, Shamsur Rehman, filed an FIR at Hangu police station accusing Atiq, his brother Shafiqur Rehman and uncle Noor Rehman of being responsible for Farid’s murder.
Speaking to journalists from an undisclosed location on Wednesday, the JUI-F leader termed Farid’s murder a conspiracy to sabotage peace in Hangu. “We condemn Farid Khan’s murder. It is a conspiracy to destabilise the peace of Hangu,” said Atiq, who lost to Farid in PK-42 in the May 11 election. “I am willing to make any clarification to the victim’s family,” he added.
Meanwhile, local JUI-F leaders including district ameer Mufti Din Azhar, Mian Hussain Jalali, Haji Gul Kareem and MPA Mufti Syed Janan also condemned the killing.
They demanded the government to expose the culprits immediately and promised the JUI-F would extend all necessary support, adding the party’s leader shared the grief of Farid’s family.
At least eight people were killed on Tuesday after violent protests flared across the district over the murder.
However, no violent incident occurred on Wednesday, while a curfew remained imposed in the district for a third consecutive day and all educational institutes remained closed.
Bomb defused
Police and the bomb disposal squad (BDS) defused a 15-kilogramme bomb planted near a mosque in Spin Khawrai area. According to a BDS official, they received a tip-off about a suspicious bag lying in the area. Police along with the BDS rushed to the site and defused the explosive device found inside the bag.
Suspects arrested
Police arrested three men suspected to be involved in the murder of a Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) employee from Thal tehsil of Hangu district.
Thal police station SHO Farid Khan said Fazal Rehman, a resident of Charsadda, was the sub divisional chairperson of Wapda’s Thal Hydro Union. Rehman was asleep when unidentified men entered his house late night on May 31 and killed him, added Khan.
The police started an investigation and apprehended Hamid Gul, Rahim Noor and Mina Gul with the help of sniffer dogs on Wednesday.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2013.