HARIPUR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl’s former lawmaker Mufti Kifayatullah on Friday ended his hunger strike following negotiations with the jail administration and on the request of the party’s local leadership, official sources said.

Mufti Kifayatullah was sent to Haripur central prison following his arrest under 3 MPO on April 14. On Thursday morning, he announced to go on a hunger strike till death accusing jail administration and jail doctor of not allowing him to have an eye surgery recommended by an ophthalmologist.

However, at the request of the jail superintendent, the local JUI-F leadership visited the jail, and after listening to Mufti Kifayat’s complaints and holding a meeting with the jail administration, the leaders persuaded the former MPA to call off the hunger strike.

The JUI-F leaders offered him juice which he accepted.

The jail administration assured the family members of Mufti Kifayat of extending him every support in line with prison rules. The jail administration and doctor also allowed Mufti Kifayatullah to visit the district headquarters hospital for the treatment of his eye problem. However, the detained JUI-F leader refused to go out.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2021