SWABI: Pashtun Tahafuz Movement leaders and workers staged a demonstration here on Sunday against a fresh wave of terrorism sweeping the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The protesters led by PTM core committee member Liaqat Yousafzai gathered at the Karnal Sher Khan Chowk in the district headquarters, while chanting slogans against the menace of terrorism.

The protesters said in Gadoon Amazai terrain, rocks-chalking had appeared in the name of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, which has caused unrest among the residents.

On the occasion, Mr Yousafzai said that the rock-chalking was shared on social media. He said that they were against terrorism and strived for peace. “We want to maintain peace in Swabi. Our slogan was, is and will be peace because peace is the true name of life,” he said.

Meanwhile, the local people said they had spotted motorcyclists doing the rock-chalking.

When contacted, SHO Utla police station Jihad Khan told Dawn that they had removed the rock-chalking, obtained the footage of CCTV cameras and were now searching for the people involved.

“The police and other departments (agencies) are trying to trace the people,” he said, while admitting that it was the first time that such rock-chalking appeared in the Gadoon belt, which remained peaceful in the past. “No one should be worried as calm prevails across the region,” he said.

Officials said the Gadoon region shared boundary with Buner and Haripur districts.

The Gadoon Amazai residents said that they wanted peace to prevail in their region, which was earlier famous for growing poppy.

DSP Topi tehsil Hasan Khan didn’t respond to calls to know his version on the latest development. A voice message on his WhatsApp was also not responded.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2024