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 U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
