LAKKI MARWAT Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazal held a peace rally in the Lakki city on Sunday.

The party’s district president and former MNA Maulana Mohammad Anwar led the rally.

JUI-F activists from Naurang, Tajori and Darra Pezu and people from different walks of life gathered at the Qazi Ishfaq Chowk.

Awami National Party’s member provincial council Malik Mohammad Riaz also joined the protest. The particpants raised slogans in favour of their demands.

The JUI-F leaders said militancy had plauged the entire region, especially Lakki Marwat, and urged the government to take measures to root out the menace.

Demand action against extortionists, bike snatchers

“Poor law and order and surge in crimes has forced people to stay indoors after the evening,” a speaker said.

The protesters asked the government to take measures to curb street crimes, particulary bike snatching. They also demanded action against those involved in firing in the air, extortion and looting of traders.

JUI-F general secretary Maulana Asghar Ali and and others spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, local elders have asked the provincial government to blacktop a dirt track leading to Wanda Bagni village in Ihsanpur area.

Talking to journalists here on Sunday, they said Ihsanpur area was situated near the Lakki city, consisting of several villages, but residents lacked access to basic amenities, including roads.

Atlas Kamal, a social activist, said residents of Wanda Bagni, Wanda Dolan, Wanda Nimari, Abakhel Korona and other villages used dirt tracks to go to Lakki city.

Other elders, including Ihsanullah, Baqi Jan and Yousaf Khan, said the dirt track in Wanda Bagni village turned into a pool of water and mud when it rained. Another elder, Ghulam Khaliq said critical patients, including women with labour pain, could not be taken to hospitals due to bad condition of the dirt track. He said the caretaker government should provide funds for construction of a three-kilometre road to Wanda Bagni village.

RINSTATEMENT SOUGHT: Local government representatives from North Waziristan tribal district have asked the government to reinstate district education officer to his post and initiate action against those involved in ‘damaging’ his reputation.

Talking to reporters in Bannu on Sunday, Ishtiaq Dawar, chairman Hurmaz village council, and others claimed some mischievous elements propagated against suspended DEO Mohib Dawar for their vested interest. They said allegations of illegal recruitments against the official were unfouinded, and asked for an impartial inquiry into the matter. They said whenever an officer tried to bring things on right track some elements started his character assassination.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2023