PESHAWAR: Politicians and top government functionaries condemned the suicide attack on Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, Nowshera, on Friday, with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl central chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman condemned the blast on Darul Uloom Haqqania, wherein its head and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami chief Maulana Hamidul Haq and some other people were martyred.

The perpetrators, he said had violated the sanctity of humanity, mosques, madressahs, and the blessed day of Friday ahead of the holy month of Ramazan. He said terrorism had battered the society, making lives of people miserable.

Mr Rehman questioned the performance of law enforcement agencies as people’ lives were being lost without any let-up. “We have long been crying about unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the state remains a silent spectator,” he lamented.

CM vows to bring perpetrators to justice

Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao also condemned the blast and termed it an inhuman act. He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of those who died in this incident.

He expressed his sorrow over the loss of precious lives, including Maulana Hamidul Haq in the blast. He termed this tragic incident as eye opener for the rulers to fulfill their prime duties and secure lives of people.

Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur also expressed his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs.

He said targeting innocent citizens was a very sad and heinous act. “The elements involved in the incident did not deserve to be called human beings, and they would be brought to justice,” he said.

Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned the blast and expressed heartfelt sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of Maulana Hamidul Haq and other worshippers. “I am deeply saddened by the martyrdom of Maulana Hamidul Haq,” the governor said in a separate statement.

He said that the religious and political services of Maulana Hamidul Haq would always be remembered.

JUI-F provincial chief Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman, general secretary Maulana Attaul Haq Darwesh and provincial information secretary Abdul Jalil Jan expressed anguish over the martyrdom of Maulana Hamidul Haq and others in the suicide attack, calling it a great tragedy.

Former Jamaat-i-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad, in his statement, also condemned that tragic incident and described it clear failure of the provincial, federal governments, security forces and intelligence agencies.

He said it seemed the government had handed over the entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to terrorists.

Former federal minister Pir Noorul Haq Qadri also expressed his deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Mr Haq. “Maulana Hamidul Haq’s martyrdom is an irreparable loss to the entire Muslim Ummah. He was a pioneer of knowledge, peace and moderation,” he added.

Special assistant to the chief minister for forests and wildlife Pir Musawar Khan also condemned the blast at Jamia Darul Uloom Haqqania. He said that the people involved in the attack could not be called as Muslims.

All Pakistan Commercial Exporters Association patron-in-chief Haji Maamoor Khan also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdom of JUI-S chief Maulana Hamidul Haq in the suicide blast.

Meanwhile, condemning the suicide bombing at Darul Uloom Haqqania, Awami National Party central president Senator Aimal Wali Khan expressed sympathy to the families of the martyrs.

He termed the act another tragic incident on Pakhtuns’ soil, which would be written in black letters in history.

In a statement issued from Wali Bagh, Charsadda, he said once again a massacre of Pakhtuns had occurred, adds our Charsadda correspondent.

Aimal Wali said targeting innocent worshippers during Friday prayers was neither Islam nor humanity.

He said followers of Bacha Khan had already endured the pain of terrorism. “When a fire blazes, it does not distinguish between friends and foes; today this fire has reached Madressah Haqqania,” he said.

He called on ANP Nowshera workers to stand with the families of the martyrs, visit their homes to offer condolences, and mobilise all possible resources for treatment of the injured.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2025