Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maualna Fazlur Rehman has stopped attending public meetings in the wake of intelligence agenciesÂ’ reports that pro-Al Qaeda organisations in Pakistan are planning to kill him, presumably for his offering support to the United States against militants along the Durand Line.Letter: Sources said that the Crisis Management Cell, after receiving reports from intelligence agencies, sent a letter to Fazl five days ago, revealing the threats of potential suicide attacks on him. The letter has also been forwarded to the provincial and federal authorities concerned.
The sources said that according to secret agenciesÂ’ reports Muhammad Tariq Musa, a resident of Multan, had been tasked to kill Fazl. The reports said the Taliban had chosen Musa to kill the JUI-F chief because of the formerÂ’s proficiency in Seraiki and Pushto languages that will help him get into the processions of the Maulana.
The sources said Fazl did not attend a public meeting a few days ago due to fear of an attempt on his life. “Fazl has assured his former Taliban well-wishers that he is ready to remove all reservations of the Taliban,” the sources said.
The sources said that the Taliban believed Fazl supported the government in its operations against Lal Masjid, in Swat and Waziristan. “The Taliban believe that Fazl had supported the government in its operations against mujahideen during the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal government in the NWFP. They (Taliban) believe that in his recent meetings with US officials, including Ambassador Anne Patterson, Fazl had offered the US his support against militants and in return sought their help in becoming the prime minister of Pakistan,” the sources said.