Religious scholars coming under frequent attacks

PESHAWAR: Religious scholars are being targeted in a new wave of terrorist attacks in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar.

Several advisories have recently been issued, calling for upgraded security for religious scholars and leaders of religio-political parties.Religious scholars, students, and people from different walks of life have protested the recent series of attacks, demanding that the government and police bust the network behind these incidents.

The current wave of violence began on February 28, when Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami and vice chairman of the renowned Darul Uloom Haqqania in Nowshera, was targeted by a suicide bomber shortly after leaving the mosque following Friday prayers.

In Peshawar, another prominent religious scholar, Mufti Muneer Shakir, was targeted in a bomb attack last month. The firebrand speaker was attacked as he was entering a mosque in Urmar village for Asr prayers.In another incident, a blast in a mosque in Waziristan injured four people. Several other religious scholars have been targeted in different parts of KP and Balochistan in recent weeks.

On Monday, two religious scholars were attacked in separate incidents within the jurisdiction of the Pishtakhara Police Station as they exited mosques following Isha prayers. The attacks occurred on Dora Road and in Naway Kelay.

In one incident, an important religious leader, Maulana Ijaz, was martyred. In the second attack in the nearby area, Qari Shahid was injured.A day earlier, a religious figure, Zahid Shah, was targeted while reciting the Holy Quran in a mosque in Sarband. He was the brother of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam local leader, Abid Shah.

Another religious scholar was wounded in an attack in Sheikhan last week, while Qazi Zahoor was martyred in Badaber a few weeks ago.

On Monday night, protestors blocked the main University Road and Ring Road in protest of the frequent attacks on religious leaders. Some of the demonstrators pelted restaurants and other outlets with stones. Speakers at the protest demanded that the government dismantle the gang responsible for the attacks before more lives are lost.

Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed ordered the formation of special teams to investigate the matter and arrest those behind the attacks. He also directed the Capital City Police and other officers to enhance security measures for religious scholars and leaders. The police chief assured that all efforts would be made to ensure the protection of every citizen.

Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali and SSP Operations Masood Ahmad Bangash said that all resources were being utilized to maintain law and order in the city and to protect religious leaders and places of worship.

Talking to a delegation of Ulema, the CCPO said Peshawar Police was committed to protecting the life and property of scholars.

He said interfaith harmony and the protection of prominent scholars of all sects were among the priorities for which they were in touch with leaders belonging to all sects and different schools of thought.