Four more people who had been recently in contact with Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam-Sami (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq, were questioned on Wednesday as a part of the probe into the assassination of the religious leader. According to probe team sources, the four people had been in contact with the slain JUI-S chief in the weeks before he was killed The investigation team collected a number of evidences from the crime scene, including, hair of three lengths, the bed sheet with blood on it and three glasses from the spot. The hair and blood samples were sent to a forensic laboratory for DNA testing. The police officials have searched the gardens of neighbouring houses and the surrounding hilly areas to trace the murder weapon and other evidence which may help identify the killer. The medical examination report, from the private hospital where Maulana Samiul Haq was taken and declared dead, has also been obtained by the police. According to doctors, the former senator died an hour prior to the time when his body was brought to the hospital. The medical reports include an ECG, x-rays and details of the stab wounds. On the other hand, the far-right party Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) is suspecting involvement of foreign elements in the murder of its late chief Maulana Samiul Haq. “It is confirmed to thousands of his followers, the party, Darul Uloom Haqqania and his family that martyrdom of Maulana was not an internal issue rather Indians, Afghans and other elements are involved in this act,” said a statement issued by JUI-S. The party’s official statement further noted, in a bid to hide their incompetence, some people were issuing differing accounts, dubbing it a domestic dispute to sectarian issue, as the motive behind the murder of JUI-S leader. Highlighting the key role played by slain leader in mediation between Taliban and other groups including Afghan government, the statement said, a delegation of Afghan government had requested Maulana Samiul Haq in October to facilitate talks with Taliban. “They started propaganda against him and Darul Uloom Haqqania when they failed to persuade him to play the desired role”, it alleged. Hamid ul Haq, son of Maulana Samiul Haq, said his father was unwell and taking rest at home when he came under the attack. He said Maulana Samiul Haq’s driver and gunman were away when he was stabbed and added that when one of his servants returned he saw his father lying in a pool of blood. Published in Daily Times, November 8th 2018.