ANP activist arrested, released after Swabi rally

SWABI: The police arrested a worker of the Awami National Party (ANP) and former provincial general secretary of the Pakhtun Students Federation from home shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

Azeem Khan Yousafzai later released on bail by Senior Civil Judge Badar Munir Khan, according to sources from both the police and ANP.Yousafzai, who hails from Dagai village in Razaar tehsil, was arrested due to his alleged involvement in sloganeering against the establishment during a party gathering in the district headquarters on Tuesday.

The FIR was registered following an application submitted to Swabi Deputy Commissioner by Anwar Ali of Kunda village. The application alleged that during a political party’s protest at Aman Chowk (Karnal Sher Khan Chowk), Yousafzai had used offensive language against the country’s institutions. The action was deemed anti-state, causing hurt to the sentiments of the public and circulating on social media, according to the application. Consequently, it was demanded that legal action be taken against him.Nawab Zada, the district general secretary of ANP, confirmed Yousafzai’s release on bail. Following his release, the party workers and leaders welcomed him with garlands.