JUI-F announces nationwide protests over killing of Maulana Idrees

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has announced countrywide protests on Wednesday and Friday against the killing of senior cleric Maulana Idrees. The party said demonstrations would be held at provincial headquarters and district levels nationwide.

Maulana Idrees, a former JUI-F MPA and district emir, was shot dead on Tuesday when unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle near the Tariqabad Utmanzai area in Charsadda. He was on his way from his residence in Tarangzai to Darul Uloom Noumania when the attack occurred. His body was later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital.

JUI-F spokesperson Aslam Ghouri termed the cleric’s death an irreparable loss and criticised the government for failing to ensure security. Questioning the state’s response, he alleged that both federal and provincial authorities had been unable to control rising lawlessness. He urged the public to participate in protests and raise their voice against the deteriorating situation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted Maulana Fazlur Rehman to offer condolences and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed also took notice of the incident and sought a report, vowing early arrest of the attackers.