ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Senior leaders of the Afghan Taliban government on Friday contacted JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to express condolences over the killing of Sheikh Idris.
According to the JUI-F media cell, Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid separately contacted Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
In the discussion with Maulana Fazl, the Afghan leadership expressed deep sorrow over the killing and prayed for the departed soul.
Maulana Idris, a senior member of JUI-F was shot dead by armed motorcyclists in the Utmanzai area of Charsadda on May 5, while he was traveling to a madressah. As the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility for the killing the initial findings suggest the attack was planned in Afghanistan.
They strongly condemned the assassination and said the people and leadership of Afghanistan equally share the grief of the Pakistani people over the killing.
The Afghan leaders also conveyed solidarity with JUI-F and its student wing, saying they fully understand and share the pain and suffering of the party and religious students. The contacts come amid strong reactions from political and religious circles following the killing of Sheikh Idris, which has triggered condemnation and protest calls from JUI leadership across the country.
Meanwhile, the JUI-F Islamabad chapter staged a protest demonstration against the killing. Led by JUI-F Islamabad emir Mufti Owais Aziz, a large number of party leaders and workers participated in the protest including JUI-F central spokesperson Aslam Ghauri, Sindh deputy chief Qari Usman, Punjab deputy secretary general Maulana Saeed Sarwar, emir Rawalpindi chapter Dr Ziaur Rehman and Mufti Abdullah.
The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the killing. Addressing the demonstrators, Aslam Ghauri said that until the killers were arrested, the present government would be considered responsible for Sheikh Idris’ murder. He said JUI-F is a peaceful political party that has always advocated peace and stability.
He vowed that the blood of Sheikh Idris would not go in vain and alleged that no one’s life, property or honour is safe in Pakistan anymore. Criticising the authorities, Mr Ghauri said repeated failures of the security institutions had become unbearable.
The protest comes amid growing anger within JUI-F over the killing, with the party announcing demonstrations in different parts of the country.
