Banners appear in Peshawar seeking release of director archaeology

PESHAWAR: The sympathisers of Dr Abdul Samad, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director Archeology and Museums who was recently arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on charges of misuse of authority, have started a campaign to demand his release.

Banners have been displayed across the city with the demand seeking release of Dr Abdul Samad, a highly qualified archaeologist.The banners inscribed with Urdu words “Sharam Karo Haya Karo, Dr Abdul Samad Ko Riha Karo” (Have some shame, Release Dr Abdul Samad) were displayed by the Muslim Students Federation.

Interestingly, the banners were displayed overnight and there was no mention of the contact number of the organizers.Dr Abdul Samad’s arrest made headlines after the NAB KP produced him handcuffed in the accountability court for obtaining his physical remand.

The counsel for the suspect, Shumail Ahmad Butt, also raised the issue in the court and questioned producing a PhD scholar handcuffed.The issue went viral on the social media and Prime Minister Imran Khan also took its notice.

The prime minister tweeted, “The NAB chairman should take action against those in his institution who are responsible for this disgraceful act.”However, the NAB KP managed to get 10 days remand of the director Archeology.

After Prime Minister Imran Khan’s criticism of the treatment meted out to the scholar, the chairman NAB took notice of the issue and directed NAB KP officials to produce the suspect before him along with the relevant record today.