LAKKI MARWAT: Thousands of tribesmen rallied for peace in Lakki Marwat on Sunday, demanding of the government to refrain from launching a military operation keeping in view its ‘negative impact’ on the lives of people of the region.

People from across the district gathered at the Kargil Chowk in Lakki city, holding white flags to show their eagerness for peace on their soil.

“It is not for the first time local residents have assembled to raise voice for peace,” said former district nazim Ishfaq Meenakhel.

He said that the gigantic gatherings for peace in Tajazai, Pezu, Tajori, Kurrum Par and other areas in the recent past were the wake-up call for government and local administration, but they failed to improve the situation and take concrete steps for establishing peace in the district.

Rallies also staged in Torghar, Mohmand against military operation

The former nazim said that people felt insecure and were justified to ask their elders to take them into confidence over their meetings with civil and military authorities.

He said that raids on houses and killing of innocent citizens and livestock in offensives against militants had become a routine and such actions should be halted immediately.

“Local elders and residents will not accept actions in which their children and cattle are not safe,” he maintained.

Other speakers included former MNA Naseer Mohammad Khan, MPA Johar Mohammad Khan, Eng Latifullah Khan, Maulana Samiullah Mujahid, former tehsil nazim Hidayatullah Khan, Maulana Asghar Ali, Eng Haji Amir Nawaz Khan, Misbahullah, Naseer Turab and Inamullah Khan.

Former tehsil nazim Hidayatullah said people were faced with deprivations and backwardness, and if launched, the military operation would add to their troubles.

The speakers opposed the operation, and asked the government to sort out the reasons for resurfacing of terrorism and direct security forces and law enforcement agencies to focus on targeted and intelligence-based operations.

Meanwhile, a large number of youth in Torghar district took out a rally on Sunday against the proposed Azm-i-Istehkam military operation, saying the offensive would cause large-scale displacements of law-abiding citizens.

The rally started from Bazaargay area of Judbah, the district headquarters of Torghar, and culminated at the same point after marching through different roads.

The protesters holding placards raised slogans in support of their demands.

“The government should bring change in our society through education and development,” Faizan Khan, a youth leader, said.

He said massive displacement of people would occur if the operation was launched in erstwhile tribal areas (merged districts), including Torghar.

Another youth leader, Arbaz Khan said that a handful of miscreants were involved in subversive activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the military operation would affect the whole populations.

“People of this province are poverty-stricken and such large-scale operations are not the solution to the militancy and terrorism as only those involved in anti-state activities should be taken to justice through targeted actions,” he demanded.

“The tribesmen of Torghar are law-abiding and never indulged in terrorism,” he said, demanding that only those who crossed over to Hazara from Malakand should be targeted,” Mr Khan said.

Also, the people of Mohmand tribal district opposed the anticipated military operation Azm-i-Istehkam during a big rally on Saturday.

The protesters were led by a social worker, Tafseer Momand, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader Mufti Mohammad Arif Haqqani, PTI leader Sajjad Mohmand and Mohmand Political Alliance president Jangriz Khan Mohmand.

The protesters said the past military operations had brought misery on them and warned against launching a similar action.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2024