MANSEHRA: The residents on Sunday threatened street protests if the government didn’t withdraw taxes levied in the budget.

“The people have already been reeling from the record inflation, and now more taxes have been slapped in the budget, which will increase people’s misery,” Khadam Hussain, a local resident, told reporters in Lassan Nawab area. Flanked by a group of residents, he said that the imposition of taxes under the ‘International Monitory Fund’s dictation’ was a great burden on the people.

Another resident, Mohammad Saeed said they would come onto the streets to protest inflation. “The imposition of various levies and surcharges in gas and electricity utility bills has stressed people out, and all such taxes should immediately be withdrawn,” he said.

MUHARRAM SECURITY: Over 2,278 policemen would be deployed across the district for Muharram security.

Speaking at a meeting at his office on Sunday, district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur said routes of mourning processions would completely be sealed and mourners would only be allowed following body search.

Superintendents of police, deputy superintendents and SHOs of Mansehra, Balakot, Oghi, Darband and Baffa-Pakhal police station attended the meeting.

Mr Gandapur said that as many as two SPs, five DSPs, 165 inspectors and sub-inspectors, 255 head constables, 1,819 constables and 32 policewomen would be deployed at all the sensitive places and Imambargahs to maintain law and order.

“Consultative meetings would also be held with the Sunni and Shia clerics to seek their support in maintaining law and order and to ensure that nobody indulged in hate speech,” Mr Gandapur said.

He said sacrifices rendered by the martyrs of Karbala were great lessons for people of all religious schools of thought. “We have to ensure religious harmony during Muharram, and those who break the law would face the law,” Mr Gandapur said.

The DPO said the Ashura processions routes would be the same as before and nobody would be allowed to change them.

“From July 1 (today), entry of motorcyclists, including tourists, into Balakot tehsil (Kaghan Valley) from Damgalla police post would strictly be barred,” Mr Gandapur said.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2024