PESHAWAR: Activists of Awami National Party, civil society organisations and former lawmakers held a demonstration here on Thursday to record their protest against life threats to ANP general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain and warned that in case of any problem to the former lawmaker the entire responsibility would rest with the government and law enforcement agencies.

Holding placards and banners inscribed with demands for protection to Mr Hussain, the protesters, who gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club, also urged the law enforcement agencies to take appropriate steps for security of the ANP leader.

Speaking on the occasion, former MPA Tabbasum Katozai expressed concern that security agencies were repeatedly issuing alerts about threats to life of Mr Hussain, but the law enforcers were least bothered to take immediate action for arrest of the planners.

“Mian Iftikhar has done nothing wrong. He has always worked for restoration of peace on the soil and raised voice against injustices and terrorism, and his lone son was also assassinated.

He is voice of the people and any threat to his life will spark protest rallies,” Ms Katozai warned.

She claimed that law enforcers had complete details about the people allegedly planning to attack the ANP leader, but no steps were taken to arrest them.

She warned that the state agencies would be held responsible in case of any issue to life of the ANP leader. She also alleged that Mr Hussain had won the election, but the result was changed.

Another protester Engineer Ijaz Yousufzai said that the state was giving salaries, weapons and other resources to the law enforcers and they were duty-bound to provide foolproof security to the citizens, especially to those who had already suffered losses for the sake of the soil.

Sikh community representative Radish Singh Tony also demanded proper security for the ANP leader.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2018