LAKKI MARWAT: Leaders of different political parties on Monday visited the Janikhel town to express solidarity with the tribesmen, who have been protesting against the killing of a tribal chief, Malik Naseeb Khan, for last eight days.

The local police eased restrictions and allowed former senators Farhatullah Babar of PPP and Afrasiab Khattak to join the protesters.

Jamaat-i-Islami central deputy chief Mohammad Ibrahim also visited the town to express solidarity with the protesters.

In a tweet, Farhatullah Babar said he visited Jasnikhel to express solidarity with locals protesting the regrouping of militants, targeted killings and non-fulfillment of promises to restore peace.

He said containers had been placed on all routes leading to Janikhel and local youths led him to the town through the routes they knew. He assured that his party would fight for the rights of tribesmen at all forums.

Armed men had shot dead Malik Naseeb in Zindi Alikhel area of Bannu on May 31.

The district administration has held several rounds of talks with the protesters, urging them to end the agitation and bury the slain elder, but to no avail.

“The Janikhel town has been disconnected from rest of the country by closing roads and routes with the help of containers,” former senator Afrasiab Khattak said on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2021