Noted Scholar Ibrahim Salfi shot dead in Lahore
By Omair Rasheed - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

LAHORE: Eminent religious leader Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim Salfi was shot dead by unknown assailants at Township here on Sunday.

Maulana Ibrahim, Khateeb and Imam of Jamia Alquds Township was also a central leader of Jamaat Al'dawa had just reached at his home after offering Fajr prayers this morning when unknown persons knocked at the door of the house.

As Maluana opened the door, the accused opened fire at him killing him on the spot. Maulana Salfi received three bullets, two in his head and third one struck his neck.

Killers Escape

After committing the crime, the killers escaped on a motorcycle.

Police handed over the body of Maulana Ibrahim to his family after autopsy. The late Maulana Ibrahim Salfi is survived by three sons, three daughters and a widow.

Laid to Rest

Maulana Mohammad Ibrahim Salfi was laid to rest in township graveyard here this evening after Maghrib prayer.

Prof. Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Amir Jamaat Al'Dawa led the Namaz-e-Janaza of Hafiz Salfi, at Government boys high school township ground.

The Funeral

Hundreds of people including Ulema, his followers, students, leaders of various groups of Ahle-hadith, party workers, political leaders and people belonging to various walks of life attended the Namaz-e-Janaza.

Earlier, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed addressing the mourners appealed them to remain peaceful. He demanded of the government to arrest the killers of Maulana Salfi without any delay.

Security Tightened

City Police have tightened security of religious leaders in the Punjab capital after the grisly murder of Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim Salfi.

Police sources said that Elite and Security police have been posted outside the residence of religious leaders in Punjab capital and added their movement and security is being ensured to provide them maximum protection.

The sources advised the religious leaders to remain in touch with the authorities regarding their safety and protection and appealed to the general public to be vigilant about suspected elements in their respective localities.

Probe Set Off

Police have launched high level probe into the murder of Maulana Muhammad Ibrahim Salfi gunned down by unknown assailants at his house in Township area here this morning.

Senior police officials told 'Pakistan Times' that two teams have been formed to investigate the murder of the religious scholar and are probing from various angles including terrorism.

Sources said senior investigators from CIA have been deputed to complete probe within stipulated period and to apprehend the culprits involved in the murder of chief of Jamaat Al Dawa.

The sources said raids are being conducted at various places to nab the killers and added police are awaiting forensic report to determine whether automatic weapons were used in the crime.

MMA leaders Condemn Murder

The Central and provincial leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami have condemned the gruesome murder of eminent religious scholar and central leader of Jamaat Al-Dawa, Hafiz Ibrahim Salfi.

In a statement here this evening, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Liaquat Baloch, Farid Ahmed Paracha and Mian Maqsood Ahmed have expressed their profound sorrow and grief on the murder of Maulana Salfi by unknown assailants Sunday morning.

They prayed that Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the members of the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.

JI's CEC Meets Today

Meanwhile, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan has convened the central executive meeting of his party here today, Monday at Mansoora.

The political situation prevailing in the country come up for discussion and future programme of the party will be finalised in the meeting.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed will preside over the meeting.●