Senior religious scholar and a prominent political leader Maulana Samiul Haq has been assassinated at his residence in Rawalpindi while the former senator was attempting to join the protests in Islamabad.
The family of the religious scholar and the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Sami (JUI-S) officials confirmed the news of his assassination. “The leader was attempting to get to the protests in Islamabad but was forced to came back home due to the blockages in the roads. During Asr time, he was resting in his room when his driver-cum-guard went out for 15 minutes,” Haq’s son Maulana Hamidul Haq said.
“Upon returning to the room, the driver found Maulana Samiul Haq dead in his bed and his body covered in blood,” he said. Hamid further said that his father had been ‘stabbed’ multiple times.
JUI-S leader Maulana Abdul Majeed said there was no one present at the house when Haq was killed. “We do not know who attacked him. He was alone, the person who was supposed to be with him had gone to the market,” Majeed said.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) condemned the killing of Maulana Samiul Haq and said that serious action would be taken against the killers. “The nation has been deprived of a great political leader and religious scholar.”
PTI chairman and Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the assassination of Sami, stating that the country had been deprived of an important religious leader. He said that Haq’s services would always be remembered. The prime minister has sought a report and directed that an investigation be carried out immediately to find the perpetrators.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has also denounced the assassination and sought a report from the Inspector General Punjab Police.
PML-N leader and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned killing of Maulana Samiul Haq. The PML-N leader further said that the killing if the JUI-S leader is an attempt to ignite chaos in Pakistan.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the martyrdom of the JUI-S chief and expressed immense grief over it. "It was really sad to hear the news of martyrdom of Maulana Samiul Haq," Nawaz said, praying the Almighty to have mercy on Pakistan. The former premier also prayed for heightening of the stages of the departed soul in the hereafter and grant patience to the bereaved family.
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic assassination of Maulana Samiul Haq. Pakistan has lost an important religious figure. The killers and masterminds behind the assassination must be apprehended," said Sirajul Haq, condemning the killing of Maulana Samiul Haq
Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman said that he graduated from Darul Uloom Haqqania. "I have had a strong relationship with Maulana Samiul Haq, based on mutual respect," Fazl said, voicing solidarity with the family of the slain cleric and his party.
PM's aide on political affairs, Naeemul Haq, said Haq's martyrdom was a huge tragedy. He said the government funded Haq's seminary for institutionalising modern curriculum, while the slain cleric had also backed the government for the anti-polio drive. Naeem said Prime Minister Imran Khan has been apprised of the Haq's martyrdom.
