Display of arms at ANP gathering draws flak

MARDAN: Social media users criticized the law-enforcement agencies for their alleged inaction after Awami National Party (ANP) workers recently staged an armed protest in Mardan.

It may be noted that last Monday on the call of Mayor Mardan Himayatullah Mayar, the ANP workers organized an armed protest at the district office of ANP. A large number of party workers participated in the armed protest. However, a large number of people on social media expressed frustration, accusing authorities of applying the law selectively. Many argued that the law was enforced against the weak, while influential groups and individuals faced no consequences when they openly defied legal boundaries.

“The law seems to exist only for the powerless. If powerful people break it, no action is taken,” wrote one user. Another commented that such double standards undermined public trust in state institutions. People raised concerns over police silence regarding the recent display of weapons in Mardan.

According to public opinion shared on social media, whenever an individual showed arms on social media, the police took swift action and made arrests. However, people are questioning why no action was taken when a large number of weapons were openly displayed at a gathering in Mardan.Observers said this apparent double standard suggested that the law was applied only to weaker segments of society, while influential groups escaped accountability.