MARDAN: The police here have lodged an FIR against the Awami National Party MPA from PK-28, Gohar Ali Shah Bacha, and other local leaders of the party for violating Section 144 when they inaugurated a building of the government girls’ middle school in Faqir village.

The local leaders and workers of ANP held a protest demonstration against the PTI-led provincial government which was followed by a press conference at Mardan Press Club here on Thursday.

ANP’s district nazim Himayatullah Mayar, provincial lawmakers Ahmad Khan Bahadar and Gohar Ali and a number of other party activists attended the demonstration and press conference.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mayar said that MPA Gohor Ali and other ANP leaders had inaugurated the building of government girls middle school on Jan 15 in PK-28 peacefully. He alleged that the police officials lodged a ‘false’ FIR against the provincial lawmaker and other local leaders on the instruction of Chief Minister Pervaz Khattak and education minister Mohammad Atif Khan making a clear interference in the police affairs.

He said that the district administration had said that Section 144 had been violated by the ANP MPA and other leaders accompanying him on the occasion.

He alleged that the CM and education minister had ordered the police to lodge the FIR against ANP leaders. He warned of protests if the FIR was not withdrawn.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2017