ISLAMABAD: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, leader of a prominent Pakistani religious party, on Sunday escaped an attack on his convoy in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, his party said, questioning the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan's northwestern and southwestern regions.
Rehman was traveling through the Dera Ismail Khan district, when his convoy was fired upon near the Yarik interchange on Islamabad-DI Khan motorway, according to his Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party.
The JUI-F chief and his staff escaped the attack unhurt.
“We have time and again informed that the situation is not favorable for our leadership. The administration writes a letter every other day with regard to the threats, but takes no practical step,” Aslam Ghauri, a JUI-F spokesman, said in a statement.
“The law-and-order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan is deteriorating day by day.”
Ghauri called for an immediate investigation into the attack, questioning why the law enforcement agencies were not fulfilling their responsibility.
Senator Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, the JUI-F secretary general, condemned the attack on Rehman’s convoy.
“The attack on Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s convoy is a question mark for the state,” Hyderi said in a statement. “We have been consistently saying that there are threats to Maulana Fazlur Rehman.”
Hyderi questioned how was it possible for his party to contest the national elections, scheduled for February 8, under such circumstances.
JUI-F members have lately raised concerns about the security situation ahead of the national elections, particularly after the party suffered major losses in KP local body elections due to being a target of militant groups in recent years.
In September, Hafiz Hamdullah, a senior JUI-F figure, was injured along with several others in a blast in Balochistan’s Mastung area.
In July this year, at least 40 JUI-F activists and supporters were killed in a deadly suicide attack that targeted the party’s worker convention in the Bajaur district.
Pakistani religious party leader escapes attack in restive northwest — party
https://arab.news/bq2gf
Pakistani religious party leader escapes attack in restive northwest — party
- The Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl party has lately raised concerns about the security situation ahead of Feb. 8 national elections
- In July, a suicide bombing killed 40 JUI-F supporters in Bajaur, while a senior party leader was injured in a blast in September
Pakistan, Iran leaders highlight mutual support after both engaged in short wars this year
- Prime Minister Sharif met Iranian President Pezeshkian in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international forum
- Pakistani PM also had an informal interaction with President Putin, discussed regional issue with President Erdogan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday praised the support their countries offered one another during episodes of external aggression this year, according to the state media, as they met on the sidelines of an international peace forum in Turkmenistan.
Pakistan fought a four-day war with India in May, when New Delhi fired missiles at its cities and Islamabad responded with retaliatory strikes. Nearly a month after the conflict, Iran waged its own war with Israel after Tel Aviv carried out attacks inside Iranian territory, prompting Tehran to launch a series of missile and drone barrages in response.
The meeting in Turkmenistan came as Pakistan and Iran seek to steady ties after a period of strained security relations, while also attempting to expand economic cooperation and strengthen border management. The two leaders reviewed regional developments, including Pakistan’s concerns over militant attacks it says originate from Afghanistan, and ongoing diplomatic efforts related to Gaza.
“Both leaders appreciated the strong support that their countries had provided to each other when they had faced external aggression earlier this year,” the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
Sharif highlighted the outcome of the 22nd Pakistan–Iran Joint Economic Commission held this year and urged closer coordination to increase bilateral trade, operationalize border markets, reinforce border security and revive transport links, including the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul rail network.
Pezeshkian, according to the report, said Iran wished to further strengthen ties and thanked Sharif for a “useful and timely exchange of views.”
Sharif also pressed for “meaningful action” from the Afghan Taliban administration to address Pakistan’s security concerns, APP added.
Separately, the Pakistani prime minister met other global leaders attending the forum marking the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025 and Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Day.
He held informal interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed regional issues with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov.
