LANDI KOTAL: A local cleric, who had imposed ban on music, on Saturday tendered an apology to the political administration for taking law into his hands.

Sources said father of the cleric, Mohammad Ibrahim akka Bacha Jan, and three other family members were summoned to the offices of political administration in Landi Kotal, where officials reprimanded them for taking law into their hands by not only conducting raids at private properties of some local residents but also imposing ban on all types of music in the Shinwari territory of Landi Kotal.

They said the political administration was under pressure from public after the ban.

In their written apology they contended that the incident (burning of music instruments) which occurred on Sept 8 and the announcements made were result of a misunderstanding and would not be repeated in future.

“We will not take the law into our hands in future and will remain peaceful citizens,” the statement said and added that they repented their deeds.

The apology came after strong criticism from the civil society and even the ordinary citizens.

Hakim Shinwari, a local trader, said it was tantamount to creation of a parallel administration, which the local residents won’t tolerate.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2017