MINGORA: Swat Qaumi Jirga on Sunday expressed concern over incidents of targeted killing in Swat and asked the government to take steps to arrest the culprits and provide protection to the peace volunteers.

The concern was voiced at a meeting of the peace body held at an unknown place due to security reasons and chaired by its president Rasool Khan. Its members, including Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party provincial chief Mukhtair Khan Yousafzai, Sher Shah Khan, Haji Zahid Khan, Abdul Qahar, Malik Riaz, Ahmad Shah, Fazal Maula and other peace volunteers were in attendance, according to a press release.

The participants regretted that the local administration had failed to trace the culprits and said that soon a national conference would be called to evolve a strategy in consultation with leaders of political parties to address the prevailing situation in the district.

Also in the day, the student wing of Awami National Party, Pakhtun Students Federation, held a rally in support of peace outside the Swat Press Club.

On the occasion, students’ leaders said that ANP had been struggling for peace since long, adding that peace was restored to Swat after ANP leaders, local people and security forces rendered sacrifices.

The participants held placards inscribed with slogans in support of peace.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd , 2014