HARIPUR: A jirga of political and social activists here on Wednesday condemned the alleged custodial torture of the local activists, who were arrested on Sept 16 during a protest while demanding hiring of local people for the T-5 ext ension project of Tarbela Dam.

They met in Ghazi here to discuss the post-arrest situation of protesters who were sent to Mardan jail under 3 MPO and other charges. Later, the detainees secured release on bail.

The Ghazi police had arrested over 17 protesters, including Irum Rasheed Tahirkheli, on Sept 16 when they blocked the road here and suspended access to colonies and offices of the Tarbela Dam.

For dispersing the protesters, the area police had resorted to baton charge.

Former MPA and QWP leader Dr Faiza Rasheed and Syed Farooq Shah of JUI-F were prominent among the participants of jirga.

On this occasion, Ms Tahirkheli accused the local police of subjecting them to mental and physical torture. She alleged that she and other detained persons were beaten in the police station at the behest of her political rivals.

Faiza Rasheed held the PTI government responsible for using police force against its rivals. The speakers demanded a probe into the complaints and legal action against the police officials, if found involved in the torture of the activists.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2021