Out in full force: JUI-F demonstrations take province by storm

Party condemns murder of its leader Dr Khalid Soomro in Sindh last week

PESHAWAR:

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) held massive demonstrations in the city and other parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Friday to protest against the murder of former senator Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro.

Soomro was shot dead in Sukkur on Saturday while offering morning prayers. He was the party’s general secretary for Sindh.

In Peshawar, JUI-F workers and stalwarts from different parts of the city took out a procession from Madni Masjid in Namak Mandi after Friday prayers. Chanting slogans against terrorism and the government, the protesters marched through various streets and markets. The rally culminated at Shoba Chowk where protesters arriving from Masjid Qasam Ali Khan in Qissa Khwani also joined in.

JUI-F Provincial Ameer Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, former provincial ministers Maulana Fazal Ali Haqqani and Maulana Amanullah Haqqani addressed the protesters at Shoba Chowk. They strongly condemned the assassination of their fellow party member from Sindh.

Condemnations pour in

Party leaders slammed the government and security forces, urging the former to realise its responsibility and expose the hidden forces involved in target killings throughout the country. They said JUI-F members were being targeted because party chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had adopted a clear stance against the ongoing wave of terrorism.

The leaders said the violence was a direct result of Pakistan’s role in the “so-called US-led war on terror”. They urged the federal government to review its policies towards the western superpower.

Through a declaration, the JUI-F denounced the brutal assassination of Soomro, demanding the government arrest the culprits at the earliest and punish them accordingly. It also asked authorities to take decisive and timely action to protect the lives of JUI-F stalwarts.

The leaders asked for a detailed probe into the target killings of political party leaders and workers.

Meanwhile, authorities blocked off Khyber Road for all kinds of traffic to stop JUI-F activists from reaching Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Road for a sit-in near the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. The superintendent traffic police, through a message on Friday, announced the road would be closed for traffic from 1pm to 3pm.

Police officials directed transporters and drivers to use alternate routes of Sher Shah Suri, Sonehri Masjid and Saddar roads to approach Tehkal, Shaheen Town, University Town, Campus, Hayatabad and other areas.

In other areas

The JUI-F arranged similar rallies in Nowshehra, Swabi, Shangla, Swat, Mardan, Bannu, DI Khan and other cities and towns. In Nowshehra, JUI-F workers held a rally after Friday prayers at Shobra Chowk and Pabbi Bazaar.

At both locations, protesters blocked the main GT Road for around half an hour. JUI-F district ameer Mufti Sajjad addressed protesters and condemned the murder of Soomro.

Sajjad also criticised Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for using offensive language against the JUI-F chief and other leaders. He urged the CM and other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders to choose their words wisely.

The religious party, and its affiliate Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan, also organised a demonstration in Swabi. The rally was addressed by Gohar Zaman Shakir, Maulana Javed, Mufti Obaid and Maulana Mohammad Farid.

The JUI-F leaders reiterated that nothing could stop their struggle for Shariah in the country. They also flayed Khattak for his recent statement against party leaders.

Another rally of the JUI-F was held in Besham tehsil of Shangla. Led by local party leader Mohammad Yar Khan, protesters chanted slogans against the K-P government and PTI leaders, including Imran Khan and Chief Minister Pervez Khattak. They urged PTI leaders to review their negative policies or get ready to face sit-ins throughout the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2014.