BAJAUR: Elders, local lawmakers and political leaders on Monday agreed to take joint and effective steps for improvement of law and order situation in the district and announced to hold ‘peace march’ on July 18 at Khar-Bypass Road.

They made this announcement in a jirga, held here, which was attended by a number of senior elders of both the Tharkani and Utman Khail tribes, leaders of different political parties and lawmakers. The jirga was held following the last Wednesday’s bomb attack on the former senator Hadyatullah Khan in Sesai area of Mamund tehsil, killing him along with his four companions.

Former provincial minister and PTI MPA Anwarzeb Khan, PTI MPA Dr Hamidur Rahman, local MNA Mubarak Zeb Khan, ANP district president Gul Afzal Khan, PML-N local chapter president Malik Gul Kareem Khan and others addressed the meeting and expressed their grave concern over deteriorating law and order situation in the district.

The participants of the meeting strongly condemned killing of former senator Hadyatullah Khan and his four fellows in a roadside bomb blast.

They termed the increasing violent incidents as failure of the authorities concerned to discharge their professional duties. They recalled that safety and protection of the local residents were the prime responsibility of the law enforcement agencies of the country.

The speakers said that the people of Bajaur would not allow anyone to disturb peace in the area, adding, the people from all walks of life were united to protect peace and tranquility in the region.

They added that as per the jirga’s decision, all the bazaars across the district would also remain closed to make the march effective and successful.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2024