JI leader condemns killing of Mufti Shakir

PESHAWAR: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa head (Central) and provincial president of Milli Yakjehti Council, Abdul Wasi, has strongly condemned the killing of religious scholar Mufti Munir Shakir and termed the incident as part of the wave of terrorist attacks that struck seven districts of the province in a single day, which is evidence of the government’s failure to maintain peace and provide protection to the lives of the people.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, Abdul Wasi criticised the government over worsening security situation across the country particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where law and order situation is deteriorating with each passing day.

He said both the federal and provincial governments have been unable to maintain peace. Religious scholars, seminaries, mosques and other religious institutions had become prime targets for terrorism, which has caused widespread fear and uncertainty among the public, he said.

Referring specifically to the killing of Mufti Munir Shakir, the JI leader claimed that the scholar had repeatedly requested security from the government and law enforcement agencies but to no avail. Instead of being provided protection, he was disarmed and left at the mercy of terrorists, he said.

He further said that the previous day saw a series of violent incidents not only in Peshawar but also in Bajaur’s Inayat Killay, Mohmand, Khyber, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Tank, which caused unrest among the masses. Abdul Wasi urged the authorities to revisit their priorities, set aside political differences and take serious, effective measures to restore peace and security.