DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Amid increasing political unrest and deteriorating security conditions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the federal government has approved the deployment of Frontier Constabulary (FC) at the residence of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, head of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F), in Dera Ismail Khan.

According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, the decision has been taken with the approval of the competent authority to prevent any untoward incident. An FC platoon from KP will be deployed immediately at the D.I. Khan residence of Maulana Fazl.

According to officials, the JUI-F chief had been facing credible security threats in recent days, largely due to his political activities, and some of his recent statements have triggered a backlash on social media and beyond. The government, recognising the sensitivity of the situation, has ordered the security deployment as a precautionary measure.

Sources said the additional security was being provided on the PM’s directions.

Move ordered by PM following attempted abduction of JUI-F chief’s son last month

The Maulana has survived multiple past threats by extremist elements, and his party’s political stance has often made him a controversial figure. The current security move reflects a proactive approach by the state to safeguard key leadership amid growing volatility.

In addition, party leader leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri had raised the issue of the attempted abduction of Asjad Mehmood, the son of the JUI-F chief, a couple of weeks ago in the National Assembly.

His vehicle was reportedly intercepted on the main highway by armed men while he was on way from D.I. Khan to Lakki Marwat last month.

Following the incident, PM Shehbaz Sharif visited the Maulana to inquire after his son. At the time, he had assured the JUI-F chief that those involved would be brought to justice.

JUI-F leaders have come under attack in recent years in Baloch­istan and KP.

On May 15, a powerful bomb explosion targeted the vehicle of local JUI-F leader Maulana Noor­ullah near a seminary in South Waziristan. He was accompanied by local party leaders Maulana Ishaq and Maulana Aman­­­ullah when the blast occurred.

Earlier on April 25, a local leader of the JUI-F and two women were killed and five others were injured in a roadside explosion near the Kalat district.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2025