Lower Dir rally demands government ensure peace

TIMERGARA: Leaders of various political parties and elders in Lower Dir district on Sunday opposed any possible military operation in the area.They were speaking at a peace march (Dir Amn Pasoon) at Shaheed Chowk Timergara.

A large number of area people and workers of all political parties participated in the Dir Amn march. The participants were holding white flags inscribed with slogans and chanting slogans for peace.

Those spoke on the occasion included ANP Lower Dir president Haji Bahadar Khan, senior vice-president Malik Sajjad Yousafzai, general secretary Malik Muhammad Zeb, former MNA and JI Lower Dir head Maulana Asadullah, president Anjuman-i-Tajiran Timergara Haji Anwaruddin, former MPA and JI leader Malik Bahram Khan, Dir Qaumi Pasoon founder and chief executive Malik Jehan Alam Yousafzai, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Lower Dir president Sartaj Khan, PMLN Lower Dir general secretary Javed Akhtar advocate, PPP Lower Dir president Ahmad Zeb Khan, secretary information Alamzeb advocate, MPA and PTI leader Malak Shafiullah Khan, Ali Shah Mashwani, JUI Lower Dir amir Maulana Sirajuddin, Sultan Yousuf Bacha and others.

The speakers demanded the government to ensure peace in all areas of Pakhtuns, which they termed as the rights of the citizens and the responsibility of the state. They called upon both the anti-state elements and security forces to ensure peace in their area.

Only Pakhtun areas had been facing the law and order situation for the last 45 years, they said, adding that the security forces had conducted a total of 22 military operations wherein 80000 Pakhtuns lost their lives, more than 30000 sustained injuries and 5 million Pakhtuns were displaced from their homes in the so-called war against terrorism.

It was the foremost responsibility of the state to maintain peace which was not possible without support of the public, they said, adding they were living with peace and wouldn’t allow anyone to disrupt the peaceful environment in their areas.