The federal government has announced the deployment of Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops to the Dera Ismail Khan residence of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

The decision, revealed Tuesday follows a June 29 directive from the interior ministry to the FC commandant in Peshawar. One platoon of FC personnel will be stationed at the residence to enhance security.

The move comes at the behest of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, citing security concerns and recent incidents involving Fazl’s son, Asjad Mahmood. Last month, Mahmood’s vehicle was reportedly intercepted by armed men while traveling from Dera Ismail Khan to Lakki Marwat.

The Prime Minister, after visiting Fazl’s residence in Islamabad, expressed serious concern about the alleged attack and attempted kidnapping. He has ordered the arrest of those involved and swift legal action.

This deployment follows a series of attacks targeting JUI-F leaders in recent months. These include a May 15th explosion targeting a local JUI-F leader in South Waziristan, a roadside bombing near Kalat in April that killed a local leader and two women, and a March mosque bombing in South Waziristan that injured the JUI district chief. Additionally, two JUI-F Balochistan leaders were killed in Khuzdar in March.