First death anniversary: Shia scholars urge govt to arrest Allama Irfani’s killers

Says deceased opposed extremism at every forum.

PARACHINAR: Shia leaders and clerics criticised the government for its failure to arrest the killers of Markazi Imambargah Parachinar cleric Allama Nawaz Irfani. The renowned cleric was shot dead by as yet unidentified assailants in Islamabad on November 26.

At an event on Tuesday to commemorate his first death anniversary at Markazi Imambargah Parachinar, Shia scholars paid rich tributes to Allama Nawaz Irfani. Allama Arif Hussain, Allama Mohammadi, Allama Hameed Imami, former Senator Khurshid Anwar Jawadi and Ali Irfani, son of the late cleric all urged the government to arrest the culprits and bring them  to justice.

They said Irfani was not only a leading religious scholar but had opposed extremism and terrorism at each and every forum.

The speakers added the government has not taken effective measures to nab his murderers, which shows its lack of commitment to maintain peace in the region.

Irfani’s death anniversary was observed at an earlier date in respect for Chehlum.

Meanwhile, foolproof security arrangements were in place in Parachinar and its surrounding areas. Shopping centres and bazaars remained closed and entry of vehicles into the city was banned to avoid any untoward incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2015.