Who was Maulana Samiul Haq? 'Father of Taliban' assassinated in Pakistan

According to reports, unidentified gunmen stabbed Maulana Samiul Haq and sped away. He was later rushed to District Headquarters Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Maulana Samiul Haq, known as 'father of Taliban' was reportedly killed in a gun attack in Rawalpindi, Pakistan today. (Dawn News)

New Delhi: Maulana Samiul Haq, known as 'father of Taliban' was reportedly killed in a gun attack in Rawalpindi, Pakistan today. Media reports by Pakistan said that the Pakistani religious scholar and former senator was assassinated at his residence on Friday, his son has confirmed. Samiul Haq was also the chief of the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Sami (JUI-S). According to reports, unidentified gunmen stabbed Maulana Samiul Haq and sped away. He was later rushed to District Headquarters Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Hamidul Haq, the son of the JUI-S chief, said his father was stabbed to death while he was resting in his room. He was jabbed multiple times. "His driver Haqqani had gone out. On his return, he saw that Maulana Sami was lying on his bed in a pool of blood. He was no longer alive," Hamidul Haq told Geo News. The news of Maulana Sami's death comes at a time when religio-political parties are protesting the Supreme Court's acquittal of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the assassination of Maulana Samiul Haq. Geo Tv has reported him stating that the country had been deprived of an important religious leader. He said that Haq's services would always be remembered. The prime minister has sought a report and directed that an investigation be carried out immediately to find the perpetrators. Who was Maulana Samiul Haq • Born on 18 December 1937, Haq had close ties with Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar. • He was one of the senior most religio-political figures in Pakistan. • He was elected as a senator twice. • He was the member of the Senate of Pakistan from 1985 to 1991 and again from 1991 to 1997. • Maulana Sami was an influential figure among members of the Taliban on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border. • Maulana Sami was an influential figure among members of the Taliban on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border. • He was associated with Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for the July 25 election. • Pakistan PM Imran Khan's party had sought to work closely with him to implement various reforms and mainstream madrassah education, reported the Dawn.