Daily Times

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday while conversing with chief of Jamaat e Islami Sirajul Haq said everybody would have to work together for eradicating all forms of terrorism.

During a telephone call, the prime minister expressed pleasure that the JI chief remained safe in the suicide attack that struck his convoy in Zhob.

He sympathized with the families of those who were injured in the bomb attack. While expressing best wishes for the Amir Jamaat e Islami, he assured that the elements responsible for the incident would be brought to justice. Sirajul Haq thanked the prime minister for his phone call and for his support and best wishes.

Earlier in the day, Sirajul Haq said that the government has yet to update on whether an investigation has been opened on the recent suicide attack on him. In a statement issued from Quetta on Sunday, the JI leader reminded that it is the responsibility of the incumbent government to investigate the attack on him and lay out the facts before the public. He expressed hope that the government will fulfill its responsibility.

Haq narrowly escaped a bomb attack on his convoy in Balochistan’s Zhob on May 19, 2023. Shortly after the blast, the law enforcement authorities declared the incident a suicide bombing and claimed that the attacker’s body was found at the site of the blast. While the JI leader managed to remain unscathed, at least four people were injured and his vehicle was partly damaged. This was seconded by the party on its official Twitter account. The party informed that Haq was safe by the grace of God and was in Zhob to address a public meeting. It added that the alleged attacker died in the attack. Commenting on the prevailing political situation in the country, Haq informed that his party has joined hands with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Karachi wing and both parties intend on forming a joint local government in the metropolis. In his statement on Sunday, Haq further added that political parties have condemned incidents of violent protests witnessed on May 9. He maintained, “We are also not in support of politics expressed through rioting and vandalism.”

He added that it is the job of the government to bring such protestors to justice. However, Haq clarified, he is not in support of military trials. The government holds the authority to gather people for talks and negotiations, he added.

The JI leader further stated that the US has no right to interfere in Pakistan’s matter. “When people fight in their homes, neighbours do talk. But America has no right to interfere in Pakistan’s matters,” he said.