PESHAWAR, Feb 22: The NWFP Government on Thursday further extended the detention period of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for 30 days in the Chashma Irrigation Rest House, D.I.Khan under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.

In an order issued under section 3(1) of the ordinance by the secretary home and tribal affairs departments, Javed Iqbal, it is stated that provocative speeches of the detainee would harm national solidarity in the existing delicate situation.

Mr Rehman has been kept in detention since Oct 6, 2001. His detention order was last modified on Jan 26 whereby he was further detained for 30 days till Feb 26.

The order states: “In view of the tension prevailing on account of recent attack on Afghanistan by the US-led coalition forces, his prejudicial activities will exacerbate the situation leading to further worsening law and order in the NWFP.”

It also says: “There is great tension due to war threats posed on account of movement of troops and military equipment by India along the eastern borders of Pakistan and the Line of Control with Azad Jammu and Kashmir, aggravating the situation further.”

JUI provincial Naib Amir Sahibzada Khalid Ahmad Benori had challenged the detention of Fazlur Rehman in the Peshawar High Court, but his petition was dismissed by a division bench headed by Justice Tariq Pervaiz on Jan 25. The court had ruled that his detention order was issued in good faith.