Religious scholars in Mansehra assured of foolproof security

MANSEHRA: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police on Monday assured religious scholars of foolproof security following a recent surge in the targeted killings of clerics across the province.

“Your safety is our top priority. We are ready to provide you with security guards if needed. Still, you must also remain vigilant to counter the nefarious designs of miscreants,” District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told a meeting attended by the religious scholar at the New Circuit House.

Deputy Commissioner Khalid Iqbal, prominent religious scholars from various schools of thought, and law enforcement personnel attended the meeting. The participants offered fateha (prayers) for the clerics killed in different attacks across KP and the rest of the country.

Gandapur said that the police have actively been working to maintain religious harmony during the holy month of Ramazan, which was the key purpose of the meeting.

“Police personnel have been deployed at mosques throughout the district, and we will further enhance security during Eidul Fitr to ensure the safety of prayer leaders and worshippers,” he said. He urged religious scholars to remain cautious and review their personal and their mosques’ security protocols.

“If you or the mosque management notice any suspicious individuals or activities near your mosques, immediately inform us for prompt action,” Gandapur advised.The police have increased patrols across the district in response to recent attacks on religious scholars in KP and other parts of the country.

Speaking at the meeting, Maulana Wasiur Rehman thanked the police for their commitment to ensuring the safety of clerics.“On behalf of the religious scholars, I assure you that we will continue to promote religious harmony, and no prayer leader will engage in hate speech during Friday and Eid sermons,” he added.