GHALANAI: The tribal people in most parts of Mohmand Agency will celebrate Eidul Azha on Friday (today) with Saudi Arabia.

The local religious scholars made announcements through loudspeakers about celebration of Eidul Azha. The tribal people said that Eidul Azha would be celebrated in most parts of the tribal agency on Friday.

They said that they had already decided about a decade ago to follow Saudi Arabia for advent of Ramazan and celebration of both Eidul Fitr and Eid Azha.

Meanwhile, the local administration on Tuesday released 25 prisoners, mostly involved in petty crimes, ahead of Eidul Azha. Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir directed the quarters concerned during a meeting here on Thursday to release the prisoners. The meeting was also attended by all the assistant political agents and other officials.

Assistant Political Agent Hameedullah Khattak visited lockup in Ghalanai and freed seven prisoners while APA Naveed Akbar Khan released 18 prisoners from Ekkaghund lockup.

Security has been beefed up in entire Mohmand Agency to thwart any untoward incident on Eid. More personnel of FC, Levies and Khassadar have been posted at various places and checkposts.

APA Naveed Akbar told local journalists that administration made foolproof arrangements to maintain peace in the region. He said that more security personnel were deployed at busy places and bazaars to maintain law and order.

Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir said that Levies Force was put on alert and security personnel were deployed at shopping centres and places of worship. He said that round-the-clock patrolling was also intensified across the agency.

The political agent said that security personnel in plain clothes would also keep an eye on suspected people and suspicious items.

It is pertinent to mention here that checking on various checkposts has also been tightened at all the entry and exit points of the tribal region.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2017