KOHAT: Kohat division commissioner Mutahir Zeb has said that a peace agreement signed between the Shia and Sunni sects will ensure sectarian harmony in the country in general and in the region in particular.

He was speaking at a jirga of both the sects on Monday that was convened to discuss arrangements for observing the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

It may be mentioned here that former Kohat deputy commissioner Riaz Mehsud had changed the old date of the Chehlum with mutual understanding of both the sects. Now, according to the agreement as the Chehlum falls on Friday the mourners of all the three Imambargahs in the Kohat city have been asked to leave the bazaar and reach Tehsil Gate before 12pm. The arrangement has been made as the processions could not change their route.

It may be recalled that under an agreement reached in 1988, Chehlum in Kohat was observed five days after it was observed elsewhere in the country.

The commissioner urged the clerics of all the sects and peace committees to perform their national duty honestly as enemy was sitting in ambush to exploit the situation and flare up sectarian tensions. He said peace and tranquility was a must to secure prosperity of coming generations.

MAN WITH ARMS ARRESTED: The Junglekhel police foiled an attempt of smuggling pistols and cartridges at Gulshanabad crossing on Monday. A statement issued here said a police party signalled a car coming from gun-manufacturing town of Darra Adamkhel to stop at Gulshanabad checkpost for a search. During checking, the police recovered 300 bullets and 30 pistols from it.

They arrested a smuggler named Mohammad Ayun belonging to Sheraki area of Darra. The alleged smuggler disclosed that he was taking the consignment to Kohat district.

The police presented the accused in a court which granted his physical custody to police for further investigation.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2017