Following the arrest of two individuals planning to attack Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Awami National Party chief Aimal Wali Khan, the JUI-F has expressed concern about threats to its leadership.
In a letter to relevant authorities, including the top electoral body, the party has demanded enhanced security for its leadership during the upcoming election campaign.
The JUI-F’s request comes after the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) detained two would-be bombers intending to target leaders of JUI and ANP. A senior Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police official mentioned that they had not received specific instructions to provide security to a particular personality but had increased security for those facing threats.
The JUI-F leadership approached the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) seeking additional security measures. The senior police officer noted that adequate security should be provided to the leadership of various political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier, on January 3, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police had issued a security advisory to former federal minister Maulana Asad Mahmood, warning of possible terrorist attacks on Fazl’s son or his residence.
The CTD, on January 12, arrested two alleged would-be suicide bombers sent to attack Fazlur Rehman and Aimal Wali Khan. The arrested terrorists, identified as Adil Khan and Tahir Khan were reportedly affiliated with Daesh and had undergone training across the border in Paktia, Afghanistan.
The authorities had previously issued a nationwide alert to improve the security of the two senior politicians from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following reports of threats to their lives. The chief secretaries and police chiefs of provinces were instructed to take adequate measures for the security of Fazl and Aimal Wali Khan.
