BAJAUR: Scores of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl activists staged a protest sit-in here the other day against a terrorist attack on its election nominee here.

The protesters, including candidates, gathered outside the district election commission’s office in Civil Colony, Khar, holding black flags and placards.

They condemned Wednesday’s bomb blast on Barkholozo-Zagai Road near Kamar area of Mamond tehsil targeting PK-19 candidate Qari Khairullah, who remained unhurt.

The protesters said the attack showed the failure of the local police and administration to protect residents.

They shouted slogans against the police and local election commission officials over the attack.

JUI-F district chief Maulana Abdur Rasheed, general secretary Maulana Mohammad Laiq and leader Akbar Jan and Khar tehsil council chairman Haji Said Badshah said Wednesday’s bomb blast would “further restrict” the party’s election campaign in the district.

Maulana Abdur Rasheed said the JUI-F didn’t know who was behind the attacks against party activists, but wanted to remind the state of its constitutional responsibility to protect public life and property.

He claimed that authorities had promised the JUI-F an investigation into the July 30 bombing at the party’s gathering that claiming around 60 lives.

PROTEST: Around a dozen women of Barang tehsil protested the arrest of their relatives outside the office of the district police officer here the other day.

Accompanied by their children, the women said their three loved ones were detained by the police a couple of days ago.

They said the police neither informed them about the case registered against detainees nor did they allow them to meet.

The protesters stayed put until Thursday evening.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2024