KARACHI, May 30: Assassination of the distinguished scholar Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai has sent a wave of shock among all religious, political and social quarters with leaders of opinion from all walks of life condemning the act in strong words.
More than 150 ulema and religious leaders in Pakistan, as well as from around the world, under the banner of the Aalami Majlis Tahaffuz-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat condmned the Mufti's killing in strongest terms.
In a statement issued by the organization's Karachi chapter on Sunday, they said the killing of Mufti Shamzai and other religious leaders of his calibre was carried out at the behest of American and Jewish lobbies and other anti-Islam forces.
They demanded of the government to immediately arrest all those involved in the cowardly attack and bring them to justice. The termed Mufti Shamzai's killing 'murder of justice and humanity' and said that elimination of ulema one after the other over a certain period showed that religious scholars were being subjected to target killing under a well-organized and deep-rooted conspiracy aimed against Islam.
They warned that the patience and love for peace on the part of ulema must not be taken as the weakness of Islamic forces. "In civilized countries, governments submit resignations even after one such tragedy," they said, and called for the resignation of the Sindh government which, according to them, was patronizing terrorists.
They also held the government responsible for the situation arising out of the Mufti's assassination.
SHIA ULEMA COUNCIL: The Shia Ulema Council said that Mufti Shamzai's was a great loss for the entire Ummah. It deplored that the government appeared indifferent when informed by the council that hidden hands were out to create rift among different sections of the Ummah.
MMA: Leaders of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal strongly condemned the assassination and asked Sindh governor and CM's advisor on home affairs to quit immediately for their failure in ensuring protection to the life and property of high profile personalities as well as ordinary people, add agencies.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, MNA Maulana Asadullah Bhutto, Dr Mumtaz Memon and others said that Mufti Shamzai was a distinguished leader of the Ummah who had played a significant role in bringing ulema together at the MMA's forum and rendered valuable services for its success.
The governor and adviser should accept the responsibility of the security lapse and step down immediately, they said, otherwise, people would force them to go home.
Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami, Sindh, Dr Mumtaz Memon said that recent terrorist activities in Karachi showed that anti-Islam forces had become active again. "Mufti Shamzai's killing is part of the American agenda," he added.
ARD: President of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) Makhdoom Amin Fahim has expressed his deep sense of shock and grief over the killing of Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and described him as 'a renowned religious scholar'.
Talking to PPI, the Makhdoom, who is also senior vice-chairman of the PPP-Parliamentarians, said: "The martyrdom of Mufti Shamzai was a great loss." He said terrorist activities and violence had affected the whole country. He urged all religious leaders to forge unity and spread the message of Islamic brotherhood and tolerance.
The government should evaluate why had its writ failed, he said, adding: "If the rulers are not capable to bring the situation under control, they have no right to rule over the country and, as such, they must step down."
PPP: Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, who is also the provincial chief of Pakistan People's Party, condemned Mufti Shamzai's killing and said that the responsibility of such acts of terrorism rested with the provincial government.
"Nine bomb blasts in a sequence and other acts of terrorism testify that the government has failed and is helpless to control the situation. Moreover, it looks as if the anti-democracy forces have chosen Karachi city to carry out such attacks to accomplish their agenda," he said in a statement.
JAFRIA ALLIANCE: Jafria Alliance chief Allama Abbas Komaili condemned the killing of Mufti Shamzai and said it was a conspiracy to create chaos and anarchy in the society.
Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, he said that Jafria community also shared the grief with the families of all victims of the terrorism.
MQM: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and Convener of the party's coordination committee Dr Imran Farooq have strongly condemned the killing of Nizamuddin Shamzai and expressed profound grief over his death.
Mr Hussain appealed to the government for an early arrest of the culprits. He said exemplary punishment be awarded to the assailants. Dr Imran Farooq said that Mufti Shamzai's killing was the continuation of the conspiracy to disrupt peace and tranquillity in Karachi.
The CM's Adviser on Home Affairs, Aftab Ahmed Shaikh, described Mufti Shamzai's killing as "a tragic incident that has deprived the nation of a great religious scholar." Mr Shaikh appealed to the Mufti Shamzai's followers to remain peaceful and not to attack petrol pumps, banks or public and private properties.
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