Fazl says Sheikh Idrees's martyrdom a loss for entire Ummah, announces July 11 rally in Kasur

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday paid tribute to Maulana Sheikh Idrees, describing his killing as a loss not only for his family but for the entire Muslim Ummah, and vowed that the party's struggle would continue despite such sacrifices.

Addressing the Shaheed-e-Islam Conference in Charsadda, Fazl said the martyrdom of Maulana Sheikh Idreesh had deeply saddened people across the country but would not weaken the resolve of his followers.

"The martyrdom of Maulana Sheikh Idreesh is not the martyrdom of a family. It is a loss for the entire Ummah," he said.

The JUI-F chief said the legacy and mission of Sheikh Idreesh would continue, adding that the deceased scholar's spirit remained alive among those who shared his vision and struggle.

"We will demonstrate this by bringing about an Islamic revolution on this land," he said.

Fazl said his party would not be intimidated by violence and declared that its morale would remain strong despite the loss of its leaders and workers.

"Listen to the enemy, how much of our blood will you shed? We are not people who bow down or become afraid," he said.

The JUI-F leader said his movement was backed by a long history of struggle and sacrifice spanning nearly two centuries.

Referring to the role of religious scholars in the subcontinent, Fazl said peace and stability prevailed when leadership remained in the hands of the ulema. He claimed that unrest and divisions emerged after leadership was taken away from religious scholars.

He criticised the country's rulers, saying the present leadership lacked the capability to govern effectively.

"This ruler is not qualified to run the government," he said.

Fazl said peace had become the foremost demand of the people and maintained that every Pakistani was looking for stability and security.

He accused various forces of promoting divisions in society through ethnic and nationalist narratives, saying his party had consistently rejected politics based on hatred.

"Hatred was spread in the name of linguistics and nationality. We rejected the ideology and slogans of hatred," he said.

Expressing concern over the security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fazl said the value of human life had diminished in both provinces.

He condemned violence carried out in the name of religion and questioned why Muslim countries continued to face instability.

"The name of Islam is taken and the blood of Muslims is shed," he said.

Fazl questioned why terrorism persisted in Pakistan and Afghanistan while many other Muslim countries did not face similar challenges.

He alleged that global colonial powers were involved in promoting terrorism to serve their own interests.

"Global colonial powers are committing terrorism for their own interests," he said.

The JUI-F chief also announced that his party would hold a public gathering in Kasur district on July 11 as part of its ongoing political activities.