PESHAWAR: Former federal minister and PPP leader Sajid Hussain Turi called on the federal and provincial governments to act quickly to restore peace, expressing grave concern over the worsening law and order situation in southern districts, particularly in Kurram district.

The PPP leader stated at a press conference held at the Peshawar Press Club on Friday that although 44 people were martyred and 28 were hurt , not a single culprit had been taken into custody by the authorities concerned as of yet.

“Since we value peace, we also went on a peace walk a few days ago. A jirga determined that passenger vehicles would be permitted to travel in a convoy from Tall area to Alizai. A judicial inquiry should be conducted into the brutal incident,” he demanded.

PPP leader laments not a single culprit arrested

The former legislator stated that there was no outsider involved in the attack and that the investigation should clearly identify the perpetrator. He claimed that the province’s governor was paying close attention to these issues, among other things.

The PPP leader also urged the KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to concentrate on finding solutions. Members of proscribed organisations, he claimed, were also meddling to target innocent people.

“We are peace-loving people and the law and order situation in Kurram district is very bad. A thorough inquiry should be conducted so that such heinous tragedies don’t occur in the future,” he said and lamented that a convoy of passenger vehicles could not be secured within a distance of 19 kilometres.

The PPP leader pointed out that there was also a banned organisation in the village where the attack took place. He said whoever was involved in this tragedy was an enemy of the country. He added that the death of a journalist in the firing was regrettable. “Some people are now missing in this tragedy, including a woman. Terrorism cannot be ruled out in the Kurram firing incident,” he added.

Meanwhile, people from different walks of life held a protest demonstration outside the press club to condemn the killing of innocent people and demanded early arrest of the attackers.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2024