By Imtiaz Hussain Abro.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman escapes gun attack in KPs DI Khan
PESHAWAR – On Sunday night, unidentified assailants targeted the politico-religious leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, opening fire on him in the northwestern region of the country. The incident took place as the 70-year-old president of the PDM (Pakistan Democratic Movement) was traveling in his motorcade through the Dera Ismail Khan district, near the Yarik interchange on the Islamabad-DI Khan motorway, according to officials from the JUI-F (Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl).
Fortunately, Fazl and his convoy members managed to escape the attack unharmed. Local law enforcement mentioned that the gun attack occurred in close proximity, and it was initially aimed at a police checkpoint. This comes at a time when security forces are actively combating a renewed surge in terrorism.
JUI-F leaders strongly condemned the assault, highlighting the worsening law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. They called for a high-level investigation into the incident, emphasizing that the security situation is a cause for concern.
Numerous politicians, including those from Fazl’s right-wing party, have expressed apprehensions about the security scenario leading up to the General Elections. The party has been targeted by militants in the past, suffering setbacks and casualties.
In September of the previous year, Hafiz Hamdullah, a senior JUI-F leader, sustained injuries along with several others in a Balochistan’s Mastung incident. Additionally, a deadly suicide attack during the party’s worker convention in the Bajaur district claimed the lives of numerous JUI-F supporters.
