RAWALPINDI, Oct 7: Various political parties and federal ministers have condemned the assassination of Maulana Azam Tariq and his four companions in Islamabad on Monday.

In an emergency meeting, the local leaders of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, including Allama Abdul Jalil Naqvi, Maulana Mohammad Akram Hamdani, Mohammad Abbas Butt and secretary information Malik Mohammad Azam, held the law-enforcement agencies responsible for the killings.

The incident, which took place in the capital territory in the broad-day light, reflects that the agencies have failed to maintain law and order and provide security to the people, they said.

The MMA leaders demanded that the interior minister should tender his resignation for such a ‘big lapse’ in security. The incident shows that even the lives of the people’s representatives are not safe.

They termed it a conspiracy against religious parties. The participants offered prayers for the deceased and demanded of the government to investigate the incident and punish the culprits accordingly.

They also sought a similar action against the police and agencies who were caught unawares when the incident took place. Instead of working for the protection of the people, the so- called law-enforcement agencies have been harassing the innocent citizens, they maintained.

Our Reporter From Islamabad Adds: Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal has expressed his grief and shock over the incident.

In a statement, the defence minister, who is currently in Malaysia on a visit, termed the act of terrorism a conspiracy of the anti-state elements who did not want to see stability in the country. He called upon the people to foil the nefarious designs of these elements by remaining calm.

Our Reporter From Pindi Adds: Federal Minister for Water, Power and Kashmir Affairs Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao also expressed grief and sorrow over the killings.

In his message received here from Geneva, Mr Sherpao said: “I am shocked and grieved to learn of the cold blooded murder of Maulana Azam Tariq, his three bodyguards and driver. I offer my sincere and heart-felt condolences on behalf of myself and all the MNAs, senators, MPAs and party workers of Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao).” Meanwhile, The PPP MNAs have said the Musharraf government has failed to give protection to the masses.

This was stated in a joint statement issued by People’s Party Parliamentarians secretary-general Raja Pervez Ashraf, MNAs Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Zummarad Khan Advocate and Murtaza Satti.

The MNAs said after the Monday’s terrorist act in the capital, the government should have taken stringent measures for providing foolproof protection to the citizens.