Renowned cleric and former Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Maulana Muhammad Idrees was killed on May 5 after unidentified assailants opened fire on him, according to the police. A police spokesman said that Idrees left for Darul Uloom Noumania from his home in Tarangzai. Shortly before he arrived at his destination, armed assailants fired at the vehicle in the Tariqabad Utmanzai area of Charsadda.
The spokesperson said that two officials were also injured in the incident, adding that police had obtained CCTV footage of the incident. This footage may give some leads about the assailants to the investigators, according to a report in Pakistani newspaper Dawn.
The cleric’s body was subsequently shifted to the District Headquarter Hospital. The deceased’s father-in-law, Maulana Hassan Jan, who had defeated Awami National Party (ANP) leader Abdul Wali Khan in his native Charsadda constituency, was also gunned down by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for opposing armed struggle.
Idrees hailed from Charsadda’s Tarangzai area. He was also the JUI-F district ameer and was considered one of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s trusted advisers.
Meanwhile, KP Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed has asked for a report from the Mardan regional police officer. He also told the officials to take the necessary steps to arrest those responsible for the incident. Hameed also expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and expressed his resolve to arrest those responsible soon.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow at the attack and offered condolences to the family of the deceased cleric. “Such cowardly acts cannot demoralise the nation,” Zardari was quoted as saying by state broadcaster Pakistan TV. He stressed that the country’s resolve to eradicate terrorism remained “strong and unwavering”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement, also expressed deep grief over the cleric’s killing and extended his condolences to the bereaved family. Praying for the elevation of the deceased’s ranks and for patience for his family, Sharif wished the injured policemen a speedy recovery.
Condemning the incident, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail sought a detailed report from the police regarding the incident. “The martyrdom of Maulana Muhammad Idrees is regrettable. We stand with the family members in this hour of difficulty,” he said. He also directed to provide the best possible medical treatment to the policemen injured in the incident.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed sorrow at the incident and sought a report from the authorities concerned. According to a statement issued by his office, he termed the Maulana’s death an “irreparable loss” for the country.
ANP’s Aimal Wali Khan also condemned the incident, stressing that it was “clear evidence” of the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the province. “Target killing and terrorism incidents have become a norm in KP now,” Khan said, calling on the federal and provincial governments to put their differences aside and take steps towards restoring peace in KP.
Meanwhile, former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan said that he was deeply saddened by the news of the cleric’s killing. “Can the provincial and federal governments, security agencies, and intelligence agencies tell us when terrorism will end in KP? No one is safe from terrorists,” he said.
