Afghanistan Times
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Known religious figure and vocal supporter of Taliban and other militants, allegedly engaged in violent acts and resistance against lawful authorities in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, was mysteriously assassinated in his Rawalpindi Bahrya Town residence on the evening of November 2, 2018. He was strangulated to death by two guests, probably known to him as after their (guests) arrival he sent his personal security guard and driver for shopping. Driver Ahmad Shah upon return witnessed Maulana Samiul Haq unconscious and bath of blood in his bedroom on first floor of the residence in well posh and secure locality of Rawalpindi, near to old Shaheed Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad.
He was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital whereas he was declared dead by doctors. Samiul Haq’s mysterious death news spread like jungle fire throughout the world especially in both the neighbouring countries Afghanistan and Pakistan. His elder son Hamidul Haq in his immediate reaction blamed what he called foreign forces for killing father Samiul Haq. And similar conflicting views regarding the gruesome act went viral on social, electronic and print media. So far no person or group claimed responsibility for the killing. But one thing is very clear that entering Safari Villa’s portion of Bahrya Town or residence of Maulana Samiul Haq was not any easy task for common criminals or hired assassins.
Whoever is involved are not common criminals but they are well connected, well trained and well patronized. At this stage, it is hard to make a clue regarding hidden hands involved in assassination of Maulana Samiul Haq. It needs a thorough and impartial probe enabling not only common people but the religious circles from both the neighbouring countries to be aware of these hidden hands, involved in mysterious acts of target killing from last so many decades.
In Pakistan and Afghanistan as well, scores of top politicians, tribal chieftains, religious figures, ulema and intellectuals are being eliminated mysteriously since an end to what the world so-called cold war. And the murder of Maulana Samiul Haq is the latest. No one can deny that Samiul Haq was the main local supporter and even claiming patron of Tehrik Taliban Afghanistan on the grounds that its main leaders and commanders have been educated from his family and run seminary of Dar Ul Uloom Haqania Akora Khattak Nowshehra. He always remained firm on his support to Taliban stance regarding resolving of long standing Afghan conflict by endorsing the demand for early evacuation of US led allied troops from Afghanistan.
His latest meeting with a delegation of Afghanistan Peace Commission was on September 30th in his residence at Akora Khattak, whereas he assured of making his best in peace efforts. A brief change was seen in his rhetoric after a long time. But most recently he for the first made vocal criticism against Pakistan’s civil, military and judicial troika after acquittal and release of Christian woman Asia Bibi charged for blasphemy.
In his native Akora Khattak and Charsada, Samiul Haq directly accused Pakistan’s troika also called establishment for following what he called western and Americans’ strategies against Muslim Ummah. The acquittal and release of Asia Bibi is part of the western and American strategies, Sami alleged. The reaction of religious circles against Supreme Court of Pakistan verdict in Christian woman Asia Bibi leads to making of foes the old diehard friends. Even these religious leaders have directly blamed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa for influencing the judiciary decision and demanded his resignation.
Resentment against establishment and mysterious assassination of Maulana Samiul Haq at this crucial stage is generating too many questions, which need to be answered at earliest; otherwise tensions, unrest and economic disorder could lead to anarchy like situation in Pakistan which might be a severe blow to peace efforts in war devastated Afghanistan in particular and rest of the world peace in general.
