Bajauris demand end to militancy, restoration of lasting peace

KHAR: Tribal elders, political leaders and lawmakers on Tuesday urged the government and law enforcing agencies to take practical steps for the elimination of menace of terrorism and militancy and restoration of lasting peace in Bajaur tribal district.

The demand came at a protest sit-in-cum-Amn Pasoon held at the main Chowk in Khar, the headquarters of Bajaur tribal district.A large number of people, elders, civil society members, students and youths from across the district attended the sit-in.

The participants also chanted slogans against the incidents of terrorism, militancy, target-killing, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and the worsening law and order situation in the district.

Addressing the sit-in, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor Shaukatullah Khan, Awami National Party leader Maulana Khan Zeb, ex-lawmaker Akhunzada Chattan, Gul Zafar Khan, Guldad Khan, lawmakers Mubarak Zeb Khan, Nisar Baz Khan, Ajmal Khan, Anwar Zeb Khan and others said that incidents of terrorism, militancy, target-killing, kidnapping for ransom and extortion were continuing across the district but the government had become a silent spectator.

They said that it was the prime responsibility of the government and state to provide protection to the people and their property but they had failed as terrorism and crimes were going on unabated. The speakers said that the law and order situation was worsening with each passing day but the rulers had turned a blind eye to the critical issues.

They said that over 4,000 elders and civilians had lost lives in the so-called war on terror and militants and military operations since 2008.The speakers said that repeated bomb explosions, target killings and other terror activities had made life miserable for the people. Still, the government and law-enforcing agencies were yet to restore lasting peace in the tribal district.

They said people were compelled to turn to the streets to demand protection and peace for their near and dear ones.The leaders said the sit-in was meant to raise voice for the restoration of peace and press the government for acceptance of their demands.