Fazlur Rehman demands arrest of Maulana Idrees’ killers, announces Friday protests

CHARSADDA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday called on the government to arrest those responsible for the killing of cleric Maulana Muhammad Idrees in Charsadda and announced nationwide protests on Friday.

Speaking at a condolence gathering in Charsadda, Fazlur Rehman criticised the authorities over the killing and urged them to act against those involved. He said, "Stop taking free salaries and instead focus on bringing to justice the killers of cleric Muhammad Idrees. It is your duty to bring them to justice and make them publicly accountable, while demanding that the perpetrators be arrested and prosecuted. He said violence against religious figures had continued and maintained that the government should give priority to identifying and punishing those behind such attacks. He announced that demonstrations would be held across the country on Friday over the killing of the cleric. Fazlur Rehman also said he would attend a large public gathering in Karachi on May 14, where, he said, the party would present its future line of action. Remarks on Pakistan, constitution and armed politics During his address, the JUI-F chief said Pakistan had endured because of the role played by religious scholars, institutions and seminaries. He said, We saved this country, and if Pakistan is standing today, it is because of the efforts of scholars, institutions, and religious leaders. The country’s stability is ensured by the JUI and the religious seminaries of Pakistan, describing religious leadership and institutions as central to the country’s stability. He said his party stood by Pakistan’s Constitution and laws and added that no one among them would adopt armed politics or rebellion. Referring to losses suffered by his supporters, he said they had made sacrifices and mentioned an incident in Bajaur. In that context, he said, We are making sacrifices; our people are being martyred. We lifted 80 funerals in a single gathering, and also referred to the killings of prominent scholars in Waziristan and the tribal areas. Fazlur Rehman said their objective was to make Pakistan an Islamic state and urged supporters to remain steadfast in that effort. At the same time, he strongly rejected the use of violence in politics, saying, Anyone who takes that path is guilty in the eyes of Islam, the Prophet (peace be upon him), and Allah."

The JUI-F chief’s remarks came after the killing of Maulana Muhammad Idrees in what was described as a targeted attack in Charsadda.