LOWER DIR: District police arrested 16 activists of Pukhtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) who were also students of the University of Malakand and seven activists of other political organisations under section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) during the last two days.

An official of police department said the arrested PTM workers and activists of other political parties were involved in unlawful activities.

He said the arrested youth included Ajmal Mahboob, Abbas Zahid, Asadullah, Waheed Wadood, Faizan Ahmad, Asad Khan, Aseel Khan, Ihsanullah, Abdur Raziq, Atal Khan, Mohammad Tariq Shah, Shad Khan and Umar Ahmad and others. He said the PTM activists were arrested when they tried to stage a protest rally in front of the University of Malakand.

Similarly, activists of other political parties including Zakir, Tahsinullah, Mansoor, Saeedullah, Matiullah, Zahid Ahmad and Ibrar were also arrested by different police stations for violating section 144 and motivating the public to stage protest against the state.

QURAN CLASS: A seven-day Quran class, arranged by Jamaat-i-Islami local chapter, concluded at the Timergara rest house.

Prominent religious scholar Maulana Mohammad Ismail delivered lectures to participants on various Islamic topics during the event. A large number of JI male and female workers and local residents attended the concluding session.

Addressing the participants, Maulana Ismail stressed that imposition of Islamic laws was the only solution to all problems faced by the nation. He criticized Israel and its forces for killing innocent Palestinians and said that Muslim Ummah should stand by Palestinians across the globe.

Meanwhile, the JI central Punjab chief Maulana Javed Qasoori, while addressing the monthly congregation arranged by the JI Lower Dir chapter, said that Palestinians and Hamas were fighting a battle between the Muslims and infidels. He said that it was not a war between Palestine and Israel but it was an attempt of the non-Muslims led by America and India against the Muslims.

CONVENTION: A religious seminary arranged a students’ convention during which the position holder students were awarded with appreciation shields and cash prizes. Former MNA Maulana Asadullah was the chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, he said that about 30000 religious seminaries in Pakistan were providing free education to more than 3 million students without any government assistance.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2024