What is JUI's Ansar-ul-Islam?

The Ansar-ul-Islam is a routine force of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) set up to protect the leadership of the party.

It is a sub-organisation of JUI that have only one agenda: to protect the leadership during rallies, especially during election season.

The JUI calls the group an organisation in itself rather than just a wing in the party's structure. The organisation has its own hierarchy. There is a central leader at the top, followed by a provincial, divisional, and zila leader. There are workers who undergo training and are known as volunteers. They have a khaki-coloured shalwar kameez that the volunteers wear as a uniform.

The group also includes an intelligence wing named after Hazrat Huzaifa bin Yaman who was one of the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The workers in the intelligence department keep an eye out on suspicious people or activities taking place around the public gatherings.

Another task assigned to them is being watchful of the police to prevent them from arresting any of their leaders. During a chaotic situation, the intelligence wing plans a safe exit for the leaders.

The majority of the workers are deployed near the parking lot, entrances, and around the stage. They also meet the local police for the security plan before any public rally or protest. 

The JUI provides the men in khaki with the duty card with their names and place of duty to prevent any unexpected incident.

JUI followers were allowed to reach out and shake hands with the top leadership, but Ansar-ul-Islam has been instructed to prevent such incidents as it comprises the overall security of the political party.