CHARSADDA: JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday demanded immediate justice for the assassination of religious scholar Sheikh Idrees and revealed plans for nationwide protests to pressure authorities for action.
Rehman visited Charsadda to pay respects to Sheikh Idrees’s family, meeting with his sons and relatives, offering prayers, and seeking blessings for the martyr’s soul. During the visit, he also placed a ceremonial turban on Maulana Anis Ahmed, the son of the slain scholar.
In his speech to a gathering, Fazlur Rehman described Sheikh Idrees as a trusted companion and spiritual guide, emphasizing that his loss was not only personal but also a blow to the nation. He condemned the killing as an act of “barbarity and brutality,” especially considering Sheikh Idrees’s lifelong commitment to peace and harmony.
The JUI-F chief expressed hope that those responsible would soon be brought to justice, calling on the government and law enforcement agencies to fulfill their duties. “It is their responsibility to identify the culprits and ensure they face justice,” he stated.
He noted that condolence messages had poured in from across the political spectrum, including from government officials, opposition leaders, and representatives from various sectors. He thanked everyone who shared in the grief of Sheikh Idrees’s family.
Fazlur Rehman announced that protests had already taken place in different provinces, and he declared that larger demonstrations would be organized at district and provincial levels after Friday prayers. He also confirmed his participation in a significant public rally scheduled in Karachi on May 14, where the future course of action would be discussed.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment, Fazlur Rehman stated that JUI-F stands for the Constitution, rule of law, and peaceful politics. He strongly condemned violence in the name of religion, asserting that scholars from all schools of thought have declared armed conflict within Pakistan unlawful.
He paid tribute to religious scholars nationwide for their sacrifices and warned against extremist narratives that promote violence over differing viewpoints. He called for unity and calm, urging youth and students of religious seminaries to avoid emotional slogans and uphold values of dignity, knowledge, and peaceful dialogue.
