In a tragic incident on Tuesday, Maulana Idrees, a prominent religious scholar and former provincial legislator affiliated with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), was assassinated by unidentified gunmen in Charsadda district. The attack occurred as he was en route to a madrassa.
Two armed assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on Maulana Idrees before fleeing the scene. During the assault, two police guards assigned to protect him sustained injuries and were promptly admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Charsadda for medical treatment.
Following the shooting, security forces launched an extensive search operation in the area, while authorities heightened security measures throughout the district to prevent further violence.
In response to the killing, students from religious seminaries and JUI-F activists organized protests at multiple locations across Charsadda, demanding the immediate apprehension of the perpetrators and a transparent investigation into the incident.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the assassination, describing Maulana Idrees as a respected scholar who had sacrificed his life defending Islam and Pakistan. He emphasized that the killing of the elderly cleric represented an attack on those who uphold the Quran, Sunnah, and the nation.
Rehman lamented the insufficient protection afforded to religious scholars despite their significant societal role. He highlighted that Idrees had been a consistent advocate for peace but ultimately became a victim of violence. The JUI-F leader called for the swift arrest of those responsible for the attack.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Maulana Idrees.
