LAKKI MARWAT: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl activists on Saturday took out rallies in different parts of the province to protest the targeted killing of a party leader, Senator Khalid Mehmood Soomro, in Sukkur.

In Lakki city, JUI-F district chief Maulana Abdul Rahim led the procession from Eidgah to Qazi Ishfaq Chowk.

The protesters marched through Lakki-Darra Tang Road, Michenkhel Adda, Saeedkhel Mor, Mela Mandi and Minakhel bazaars and closed Bannu-Mianwali Road, which connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Punjab, for some time.

Maulana Rahim said first a suicide bomber targeted JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Quetta and later, Senator Khalid Soomro in Sukkur was target killed.

He said JUI-F leaders and workers were on the hit list of target killers and therefore, the government should stop acting like a silent spectator and ensure protection of religious leaders.

Maulana Asghar Ali and Mufti Ziaullah led processions in Tajori and Naurang areas respectively.

In Kohat, too, JUI-F workers took out a rally to protest the killing of Senator Soomro and announced to block the Indus Highway.

Protesters demand protection of party leaders, workers

Maulana Abdul Hayee led the rally from Tehsil Gate to the press club building.

He demanded early arrest of Senator Soomro’s killers for strict punishment.

He criticised the government for ‘miserably failing to protect the public life, especially that of religious leaders.’

JUI-F district secretary general Jamil Paracha said it was unfortunate that the government’s apathy had cost religious parties dozens of leaders.

He said it was the responsibility of the intelligence agencies to expose the enemies of the country.

In different parts of Lower Dir, too, JUI-F activists on Saturday staged rallies against the killing of Senator Soomro.

The JUI-F workers led by provincial chief and former Senator Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan took out a rally in Timergara from a seminary to the press club building.

Carrying banners and placards and shouting slogans against the government, protesters complained about the killing of party leaders and religious scholars.

JUI-F provincial chief Maulana Gul Naseeb Khan, Lower Dir district chief Maulana Zahid Khan and other leaders declared the attacks on and killings of party leaders an international conspiracy meant to trigger violence in the region.

They demanded immediate arrest of Senator Soomro’s killers.

Maulana Gul Naseeb announced that the party would observe a complete wheel jam strike today (Sunday) and ensure that motorists don’t put vehicles on the roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Other speakers said if the government failed to identify those behind such attacks, then the party would consider the government to be blameworthy.

They warned the party would stage a countrywide protest if killers of Senator Soomro weren’t arrested within three days.

Published in Dawn, November 30th , 2014