Demanding justice: JUI-F activists across K-P protest leader’s murder
Dr Khalid Soomro was gunned down in Sindh.
PESHAWAR:
In response to the murder of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Sindh general secretary Dr Khalid Soomro in Sukkur, Sindh, several activists took to the streets in protest across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.
The Peshawar district chapter of JUI-F observed a day of mourning and hoisted black flags at all offices of the party across the district, while a fateha khwani was also held.
On the call of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the party will protest across the country on Sunday (today) against Soomro’s killing. The leader was shot dead by unidentified men while he was offering morning prayers at a mosque.
The provincial government has made all necessary security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident during the protest.
Swabi
Speaking to journalists in Swabi, JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Gul Naseeb condemned the targeted attack on the leader and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.
“The government is not investigating target killings of ulema which indicates it is also part of a plan against religious leaders,” said Naseeb.
JUI-F Central Vice President Maulana Fazal Ali Haqqani said the murder of the JUI-F leader in Sindh was part of a conspiracy to spread anarchy in the country. “With such tactics some notorious elements want to provoke the public, especially the religious community to rebel against the state.”
Haqqani added Soomro’s murderers should be arrested on a priority basis.
Bannu
Activists of the party led by the district leadership also protested outside Bannu Press Club. Holding banners inscribed with slogans against deteriorating law and order, the activists demanded Soomro’s killers be brought to justice. They also demanded the government provide protection to the country’s ulema.
Mingora
The party’s Swat chapter held similar protest rallies in Swat. Hundreds of activists led by the district leadership took out a rally from various markets in Mingora and gathered outside Swat Press Club.
“Religious scholars are targets of terrorist and anti-state elements but the rulers cannot stop them. If they (the rulers) cannot provide safety to scholars, how can they protect the entire nation?” questioned JUI-F district ameer Qari Mehmood in his address.
Referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ongoing sit-in, Ishaq Zahid, the district general secretary, said other parties have been observing protests for months but have not faced any such attacks. “JUI-F leaders will never be held back by such timid actions,” he added.
Condemnation
Meanwhile, Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan and Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussain expressed concerns over Soomro’s assassination.
In a joint press statement, the ANP leaders paid tribute to late JUI-F leader and termed his death a great loss to the country.
“It is high time for politicians to come forward and adopt a joint strategy for combating the terrorist acts, particularly target killings,” the statement added.
CM lauds police
Meanwhile, in a press release, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak lauded the provincial police for its bravery. “The sacrifices of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police for providing protection to the people and preventing terrorism and crimes are unforgettable,” the statement quoted the CM as saying.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2014.
In response to the murder of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Sindh general secretary Dr Khalid Soomro in Sukkur, Sindh, several activists took to the streets in protest across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday.
The Peshawar district chapter of JUI-F observed a day of mourning and hoisted black flags at all offices of the party across the district, while a fateha khwani was also held.
On the call of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the party will protest across the country on Sunday (today) against Soomro’s killing. The leader was shot dead by unidentified men while he was offering morning prayers at a mosque.
The provincial government has made all necessary security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident during the protest.
Swabi
Speaking to journalists in Swabi, JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Gul Naseeb condemned the targeted attack on the leader and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.
“The government is not investigating target killings of ulema which indicates it is also part of a plan against religious leaders,” said Naseeb.
JUI-F Central Vice President Maulana Fazal Ali Haqqani said the murder of the JUI-F leader in Sindh was part of a conspiracy to spread anarchy in the country. “With such tactics some notorious elements want to provoke the public, especially the religious community to rebel against the state.”
Haqqani added Soomro’s murderers should be arrested on a priority basis.
Bannu
Activists of the party led by the district leadership also protested outside Bannu Press Club. Holding banners inscribed with slogans against deteriorating law and order, the activists demanded Soomro’s killers be brought to justice. They also demanded the government provide protection to the country’s ulema.
Mingora
The party’s Swat chapter held similar protest rallies in Swat. Hundreds of activists led by the district leadership took out a rally from various markets in Mingora and gathered outside Swat Press Club.
“Religious scholars are targets of terrorist and anti-state elements but the rulers cannot stop them. If they (the rulers) cannot provide safety to scholars, how can they protect the entire nation?” questioned JUI-F district ameer Qari Mehmood in his address.
Referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ongoing sit-in, Ishaq Zahid, the district general secretary, said other parties have been observing protests for months but have not faced any such attacks. “JUI-F leaders will never be held back by such timid actions,” he added.
Condemnation
Meanwhile, Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan and Secretary General Mian Iftikhar Hussain expressed concerns over Soomro’s assassination.
In a joint press statement, the ANP leaders paid tribute to late JUI-F leader and termed his death a great loss to the country.
“It is high time for politicians to come forward and adopt a joint strategy for combating the terrorist acts, particularly target killings,” the statement added.
CM lauds police
Meanwhile, in a press release, Chief Minister Pervez Khattak lauded the provincial police for its bravery. “The sacrifices of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police for providing protection to the people and preventing terrorism and crimes are unforgettable,” the statement quoted the CM as saying.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2014.