Protesters in Bajaur demand arrest of ANP leader’s killers

KHAR: The Awami National Party on Tuesday staged a protest against the growing incidents of target killings and demanded the arrest of the killers of one of its local leaders

ANP leader Malik Mir Azam Khan, vice-president of Aparty’s Khar tehsil chapter, was killed in an attack a few days back. The demonstration began with a march from Bajaur Press Club to Khar Bazaar Chowk, where it turned into a large gathering. Protesters carried pictures of the slain leader and chanted slogans including “We want peace” and “Killers must be held accountable.”

Leaders and representatives of various political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, joined the protest alongside traders and civil society members.

Speaking on the occasion, MNA Syed Akhunzada Chattan, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sardar Khan, PPP district president Sher Bahadur, PMLN’s Gul Karim Khan, ANP MPA Nisar Baz Khan, ANP district president Gul Afzal Khan, PTI leader Najeebullah Mamond, JUIF district chief Maulana Abdul Rashidid and others condemned the killing. They said that incidents of target killings in Bajaur were on the rise while the government and law-enforcement agencies had failed to take meaningful action. The speakers demanded that the authorities ensure peace in Bajaur and bring the perpetrators to justice.