BAJAUR: The oath-taking ceremony of the new cabinet of the Bajaur Bar Association here on Saturday witnessed a brawl over the presence of independent MNA from North Waziristan tribal district Mohsin Dawar.

The event was held at the jirga hall in Khar Civil Colony, where lawyers, political and social activists were in the attendance.

Local leaders of political and religious parties, former and sitting lawmakers, including Jamaat-i-Islami MPA Sirajuddin Khan, former MNA Sahibzada Haroon Rasheed and former MNA Syed Akhunzada Chattan also showed up.

Many political leaders and lawyers addressed the event before independent MNA Mohsin Dawar was called on the stage to sit with other guests.The Jamaat-i-Islami workers and leaders and some lawyers resented the announcement and walked out of the hall to lodge a protest.

The organisers and a group of political activists immediately approached senior Jamaat leaders with a request to end the boycott.

The JI workers refused to return to the hall until MNA Mohsin Dawar was asked to leave. However, the party’s workers and lawyers, including MPA Sirajuddin Khan, ended the boycott after the organisers assured them that Mr Dawar won’t address the ceremony.

The stage secretary later invited the MNA to the stage to deliver a speech, scores of Jamaat-i-Islami workers and some senior leaders moved to block Mr Dawar’s address. However, they’re encountered by a number of lawyers and workers of the Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party with chairs and shoes.

Workers of both sides used chairs, tables and other things against each other during the brawl, which lasted for more than half an hour.

A number of people from both sides, including lawyers, members of the Bajaur Bar Council, and political and social activists suffered injuries in the clash.

Soon after the incident, senior officials of the district administration along with the police personnel reached the hall and controlled the situation.

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2020