JUI-F takes to streets across KP against targeted killing of Maulana Idrees

• Rallies held in all districts and tribal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demanding immediate arrest of those responsible for attack

• Party alleges targeting of religious scholars and seminaries, condemning worsening law and order situation in province

 PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Wednesday staged protest rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the killing of prominent cleric and former MPA Maulana Muhammad Idrees, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack.

On Tuesday, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced that the party would hold protest demonstrations across the country on Wednesday and Friday against the “martyrdom” of Maulana Muhammad Idrees.

“At the call of JUI-F, protest rallies were held in all districts across the province against the killing of Maulana Idrees. Participants demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible,” said a statement issued by the party’s media cell.

The statement added that participants alleged the frequent killings of religious scholars and government actions against seminaries indicated the implementation of an international agenda, claiming that JUI-F was being targeted for standing with the Constitution, law, and the state.

JUI-F provincial spokesperson Abdul Jalil Jan said protests were held at district and tehsil headquarters across Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar, Shangla, Swat, Buner, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Chitral, Malakand, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Hangu, Kohat, and the tribal districts against the killing of Maulana Idrees.

During the rallies, speakers condemned the deteriorating law and order situation, the targeted killings of religious scholars, and government actions against seminaries, warning that those targeting religious figures should take note that JUI-F would continue its struggle for the defence of Islam and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a large protest demonstration was also held in Peshawar, led from Namak Mandi Mosque by Abdul Jalil Jan, Peshawar district emir Syed Miskeen Shah, General Secretary Maulana Ahmad Ali Darvesh, former mayor Haji Zubair Ali, Inamullah Advocate, former Tehsil Nazim Kaleemullah, and other party leaders. Participants raised slogans against the government.

Addressing the demonstration, speakers said that despite what they described as government oppression and injustice, JUI-F would continue its mission without compromise.

Maulana Muhammad Idrees was killed on Tuesday after unidentified assailants opened fire on his vehicle in the Tariqabad area of Utmanzai in Charsadda district.

According to police, initial investigations suggest the attack was a targeted killing.

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also issued statements expressing grief over the killing and condemning the incident.