LAKKI MARWAT: Leaders of Bannu Qaumi Jirga have asked elders of Ahmadzai tribe to support their struggle for establishment of peace in the district.

A delegation comprising former senators Baz Mohammad Khan, Mohammad Ibrahim, Pir Sahib Zaman and other political, religious and social figures met with elders of Ahmadzai tribe in Domel town on Saturday to seek their support.

Domel tehsil council chairman Israr Khan Wazir had arranged the meeting.

The jirga leaders said they wanted peace on their soil and to achieve the goal, they were visiting every nook and corner of the district to seek support from elders and tribal chiefs.

Also urges govt to restore sacked cops, ensure recovery of abducted teacher

They said peace could not be restored by taking up arms. “We will have to work together and raise an effective voice for it,” they maintained.

On the occasion, Mr Ibrahim said their struggle was not only to secure the safe recovery of kidnapped government schoolteacher Farman Ali Shah but also to restore lasting peace in the region.

The elders asked the provincial government to reinstate the 16 policemen without delay as they were dismissed from service for the only fault that they raised voice for peace.

The participants also condemned the government’s move to include some elders and traders’ leaders in the Fourth Schedule.

The Ahmadzai tribal elders told Bannu leaders that they would inform them about their decision after Eidul Azha.

DRUG TRAFFICKER ARRESTED: The police arrested a drug trafficker in the Mastikhel area of Lakki Marwat district on Saturday.

District police officer Mohammad Jawad Ishaq told Dawn that a party of Azadkhel police station raided a hideout and arrested a suspect, Najibullah. He said cops seized 1.5 kilogrammes hashish and cash earned from selling narcotics from the man.

He said a case had been registered against the drug trafficker.

Separately, police arrested two proclaimed offenders during a search and strike operation in Bannu on Saturday.

A police official identified the outlaws as Khalid Nawaz and Mamoor, who were arrested during a raid in the Domel area. An AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol and ammunition were seized from the suspects.

Meanwhile, body of a student was found in the fields near Nali Chak area in Serai Naurang town of Lakki Marwat.

Police identified the deceased as Afaq Ali, 15, a ninth grader. The body was shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital to complete medico-legal formalities.

Farhad Ali, father of the deceased, told police that his son had gone to the village’s mosque to offer night prayers, but did not return. “Later I came to know that he had been shot dead and his body was dumped in fields,” he said, adding his family had no enmity with anyone.

The police registered a case against unknown killer(s).

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2025