KHAR: Pakhtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) activists on Saturday claimed that a large number of people from Bajaur Agency would participate in the movement’s public meeting in Peshawar on Sunday (today).

There is enormous enthusiasm among the inhabitants of the agency, especially the youths and students, to participate in the PTM gathering and I hope that a huge number of people will attend the meeting,” said Asghar Khan, a PTM activist.

Talking to Dawn, he said scores of activists had been assigned the job to mobilise the local residents about the PTM public meeting. He claimed that highest number of people from Bajaur would attend the meeting compared to other agencies of Fata.

We did a lot to mobilise the people to ensure their active participation in the meeting and we hope a large number of residents will take part,” said Javid Khan, a youth leader of Mamond tehsil. He pointed out that most of the participants would go to Peshawar in small groups instead of big caravans.

Shah Wali Khan, another youth leader and supporter of PTM, told this correspondent that the people were excited to join the PTM gathering. He said the people believed that PTM was the only ray of hope for them.

A number of youths from different areas, who have decided to join the public meeting, told Dawn that they were glad to participate in the meet.

We are happy to participate in the PTM meeting in Peshawar as we are inspired by its leader Manzoor Pastheen, said a youth.

Sirajuddin Khan, a supporter of PTM, said those willing to participate in the rally had no political affiliation. He said some workers of political parties, including ANP, PTI, PkMAP and QWP, would also join the meeting.

Noor Khan Durani, senior vice president of ANP local chapter, said though the party eldership had instructed the workers to not join the meeting, a large number of activists had, however, decided to participate in the gathering.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2018