KOHAT: The participants of a jirga here on Thursday urged people to show unity and tolerance to maintain peace during Muharram.

The traditional peace jirga of Shia and Sunni leaders from Hangu, Kurram, Orakzai and Kohat was held on the lawns of Commissioner House. The jirga was organised by Commissioner Javed Marwat and DIG Zafar Khan.

The speakers on the occasion said that peace was restored in Hangu, Orakzai, Kurram and Kohat districts after many sacrifices. They asked people to remain vigilant as enemies of the country always wanted to take advantage of such sensitive occasions.

The officials of police, civil administration, army, retired chief justice of Peshawar High Court Syed Ibne Ali, Khateeb Jawad Ahmed Jawadi and religious scholars from Kohat division participated in the jirga.

Speaking on the occasion, DIG Zafar Khan said that enemies failed to bring harm to the country therefore they were exploiting, linguistic, sectarian and racial differences.

Prof Iqbal, who spoke on behalf of both the sides, said that national flag, songs, sacrifices of animals and processions of monuments were signs of respect and allegiance.

Commissioner Javed Marwat said that he was making all-out efforts to resolve the security problems of all sects in Parachinar and Orakzai during Muharram. He said that people should make sincere efforts for peace because every family in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was affected directly or indirectly by terrorism in the past.

The caretaker of Syed Habib Shah Imambargah, Muharram Ali Shah, said on the occasion that all instructions would be followed in letter and spirit to avoid any untoward incident. He said that in case of any unpleasant event the people should inform the administration instead of taking the law into their own hands.

The chairman of Sunni Supreme Council, Javed Ibraheem Paracha, said that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani a few days ago mentioned Kohat and warned of terrorism activities. He said that terrorists were hiding in Sadda, Kurram and Orakzai districts. He added that peace should not be restricted to talks only but must be visible in action.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2021