Prominent religious scholars assassinated

Tahafuz-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwat central vice-president Mufti Mohammed Jamil Ahmed Khan and Sindh Amir of the organisation Maulana Nazir Ahmed Taunsvi were gunned down here late Saturday by unknown assailants. According to details, when Mufti Jamil Ahmed Khan and his close aide Maulana Nazir Ahmed Taunsvi reached Mufti's home located at Chamman Street near Datta Lawn Jehangir Road after Asr prayers at about 6pm, their car bearing registration CK-5635 (16-seater Toyota van) was intercepted by unknown assailants riding motorcycles.
The criminals engaged both religious leaders into conversation and suddenly started indiscriminate firing on both of them siting in the car.
Mufti Jamil received three bullets in his abdomen and was rushed to the Liaquat National Hospital in a serious condition where he was pronounced dead, while Maulana Taunsvi received four bullets and was taken to Civil Hospital where he succumbed to wounds.
On hearing the tragic news, a large number of Ulema, leaders and workers of JUI and Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) reached Liaquat National Hospital.
After the incident, enraged protestors started pelting stones at Guru Mandir roundabout, Patel Para, Jehangir road, and Jail road areas resulting in the closure of shops and the suspension of traffic.
Meanwhile, law enforcing agencies (LEA), including area police and the rangers have been called to normalise the situation.
Moreover, it was announced that Namaz-e-Janaza of the two slain religious leaders would be held on Sunday after Zuhr prayers at Jamia Binouria, Guru Mandir.
AGENCIES ADD: President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have strongly condemned the killings of Mufti Muhammad Jamil and Maulana Nazir Taunsvi. They offered their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
The two leaders reiterated the government's resolve to root out the menace of terrorism from the country.
Those involved in the terrorist acts will be brought to book, they added.
Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said the gruesome killing of Mufti Jamil and Maulana Nazir was "most unfortunate". He said that all escape routes from Sindh province had been sealed and police had been directed to arrest the two terrorists involved.
Sherpao said that the government would take all measures to apprehend the terrorists in the gruesome acts in Karachi, Sialkot and Multan. He said that all provincial governments have already been directed to ensure that police remains on 'high alert' and takes necessary steps to ensure terrorist attacks do not occur.
Minister of State for Religious Affairs Dr Amir Liaquat Hussain said it was "most unfortunate. It is a planned deep conspiracy".
A large number of people were martyred in Sialkot and Multan in last one week. Liaquat said that there was hidden hand behind this terrorist act. He said the killers are enemies of Pakistan, and vowed that the government would arrest and award them deterrent punishment.
The Minister said it was not a sectarian act, "nor between Sunnis and Shias". He appealed to the people to forge unity in their ranks and remain peaceful.
Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed condemned the killing Mufti Muhammad Jamil.
Talking to a private TV channel, he said the country has lost great religious scholar who believed in national unity.
He said Multi Muhammad Jamil had great respect among Ulema across the country.
The culprits behind the killing of Multi Nizamuddin Shamzai, Maulana Ludhianvi and Mufti Muhammad Jamil wanted to create instability in the country, he added.
He said people trying to create misunderstanding between different sects will never succeed in their nefarious designs.
He prayed for the eternal peace to departed soul of Mufti Muhammad Jamil.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Mufti Mohammad Jamil Khan and Maulana Nazir Ahmed.
He ordered the concerned to take all steps in detecting and nabbing culprits involved in the tragedy.
He observed that only anti-nation and anti-Islam elements could be involved in such a heinous activity.
He has appealed to the masses and particularly the followers of Mufti Mohammad Jamil to practice patience at this hour so that the evil wills of terrorists could be thwarted.
Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the assassination of Mufti Muhammad Jamil Khan and Mufti Nazir Ahmed Taunsvi.
In a statement, he described the incident as a cowardly act on the part of those who wanted to pit brother against brother. The Chief Minister directed the police and the law-enforcement agencies to immediately arrest those responsible for the assassination of Mufti Jamil and Mufti Nazir.
Dr Arbab also directed that every possible measures be undertaken for ensuring law and order.
Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui said Mufti Jamil was provided two security guards, but they were not on duty with him at the time of gruesome attack.
He ordered to arrest the police guards as both the police guards were absent from their duties at the time of incident.
Rauf said the provincial government had already declared 'high alert' at religious places throughout the province and intensified surveillance and patrolling.
Moreover, Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has also announced Rs one million reward for the person providing tip helpful in nabbing the assassins. He also ordered judicial probe into the incident.
DIG Police Operations Fayyaz Leghari said immediate probe has been started to apprehend the culprits. The government of Sindh has announced a reward of Rs 2 million for providing any information or help in apprehending the culprits involved in the assassination of Mufti Jamil and Mufti Nazir. The name of the facilitator would be kept secret.
IGP Sindh Syed Kamal Shah has constituted a high-level investigation team headed by DIG investigation Manzoor Ahmed Mughal. Special branch and CID would assist the team. While, CCPO Karachi Tariq Jamil would supervise the overall performance of the investigation team.
Central leadership, MNAs, MPAs and Senators of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Saturday strongly condemned the martyrdom of Mufti Jamil Khan and termed it a great loss for whole Muslim Ummah.
In a statement, Senior Vice President of MMA and President Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP) Shah Faridul Haq said rule of "might is right" was prevailing in the country and innocent people were being killed brutally by terrorists.