News Analysis |
An important development in the murder case of Maulana Samiul Haq took place on Thursday as the deceased’s personal secretary, Ahmed Shah, was arrested by police.
The arrest took place with the assistance of the Maulana’s relatives. Prominent religious scholar and former Senator, Maulana Samiul Haq was stabbed to death by unknown assailants during his sleep at his Rawalpindi residence last month.
The news of his assassination came at a sensitive time, amid violent nationwide protests by religio-political parties against the verdict of the Supreme Court’s acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, in a blasphemy case.
Maulana’s personal secretary had “disappeared mysteriously” after his funeral. Despite repeated efforts, police said they had previously been unable to locate him.
According to the details, Maulana Samiul Haq left his house in the afternoon with his driver cum personal assistant Ahmed Shah Haqqani to attend the TLP protest, however, due to roads blockage in twin cities, he returned home. His PA left for the market in the evening when unknown assailants barged into his residence in Bahria Town Safari Villas and stabbed the scholar multiple times.
He succumbed to his wound while being taken to the hospital, his son Hamidul Haq confirmed to the media. “He [Haq] was resting in his room during when his driver/guard went out for 15 minutes. When he returned, he found Maulana Samiul Haq dead in his bed and his body covered in blood,” Haq’s son told media.
Read more: Why was Maulana Samiul Haq’s murdered?
Yousaf Shah, Maulana’s spokesman, said the attacker’s identity and their motive were not known. The deceased’s body was taken to his hometown Akora Khattak, a town in Nowshera district where he was laid to rest.
Maulana’s personal secretary had “disappeared mysteriously” after his funeral. Despite repeated efforts, police said they had previously been unable to locate him. The secretary is currently being interrogated regarding the murder.
Sources believe that Ahmed Shah would prove crucial in solving the murder investigation of the deceased with some even believing that he was behind the murder. However, police has yet to reach to a conclusion.