TIMERGARA: Jamaat-i-Islami leaders on Saturday alleged that Awami National Party workers hurled stones at the caravan of JI chief Sirajul Haq on Friday night when it was passing by the house of ANP candidate for PK-16, Haji Bahadar Khan. Mr Bahadar has rejected the charge.

Speaking at a press conference in Timergara Press Club, JI leader Izazul Mulk and its activists alleged that the ANP workers attacked their motorcycle rally on Friday when it reached near the house of Mr Bahadar. They said that the motorcade of Sirajul Haq was also attacked near Mr Bahadar’s house the same night.

“It shows the attacks were preplanned and aimed at disturbing the peaceful environment,” Mr Mulk said, adding that the JI chief remained unhurt while three workers were injured on the occasion.

ANP candidate for PK-16 rejects charge

He said that a case had been registered against Haji Bahadar, his son Abdur Rashid and Bakht Biland, but none of them was arrested. He demanded arrest of the people involved in the attack on the peaceful procession of JI chief.

Meanwhile, the ANP leaders alleged that the JI workers were chanting immoral slogans against their party and its candidate when the motorcade reached near the house of Haji Bahadar on Timergara-Munda road at Gosum.

The Munda police have registered cases against leaders of the two parties.

Speaking at a press conference here, ANP candidate Haji Bahadar rejected the allegations of the JI leaders and alleged that his house was attacked by the Jamaat workers.

He claimed that the JI workers hurled stones at his house on the directives of Izazul Mulk and his aide Bakht Biland.

Mr Bahadar said that the JI workers also chanted unethical slogans against him and his party.

The ANP candidate demanded of the Lower Dir police to register a case against the JI chief and Mr Mulk for attacking his house.

He said that the ANP believed in the philosophy of non-violence of Bacha Khan and wanted peaceful election in the area. The Munda police have registered cases against the nominated persons of the ANP and JI under sections 427, 109 and 324 CrPC and formed a committee to probe into the matter.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2018