JUI-F chief’s son escapes attempted abduction by militants in northwestern Pakistan

An attempted abduction of Maulana Asjad Mehmood, son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has been reported from northwestern Pakistan, a senior party official told the Senate.

Maulana Atta Ur Rehman, a senator and brother of Fazlur Rehman, said the incident occurred a few days ago as Asjad was travelling from Dera Ismail Khan to Lakki Marwat. He was en route to attend the funeral of the wife of former Jamiat Talaba-e-Islam central general secretary Asifullah Marwat.

According to Atta, nearly 50 armed militants intercepted Asjad’s convoy on the National Highway (N-55) within the Yarik Police Station’s jurisdiction in Dera Ismail Khan district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“Asjad’s guards and the armed men had guns pointed at each other during the standoff, but the situation deescalated after Asjad was allowed to speak to the militants’ leader — following which the group let him go,” he said.

He claimed the militants later sent a message saying releasing Asjad had been a mistake and he should not have been let go.

Atta warned that the JUI-F, which has long stood by the state and its security institutions, would no longer remain silent if its members were not protected.

“If we are not provided security, we will be compelled to take up arms against these terrorists,” he said.

Speaking to Nukta, District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada confirmed the incident. He said a first information report (FIR) had been registered and an investigation launched in coordination with the Counter-Terrorism Department.

“This is an ongoing war against terrorism. Militants carry out such actions to escalate pressure, but the police and security forces remain vigilant and ready to counter any threat,” Sahibzada said.

He added that more than 100 militants have been killed in recent joint operations and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Maulana Asjad had contested the 2024 general elections as a JUI-F candidate against current Member of the National Assembly Sher Afzal Marwat.

Dera Ismail Khan has long been a hotspot for militant activity. According to the South Asian Terrorism Portal, over 100 incidents of terrorism have been reported in the district since the start of 2024. These include bombings, attacks on security forces, and abductions of government officials.