LAKKI MARWAT: The police have begun reaching out to religious scholars from different schools of thought in Bannu district to seek their support to ensure peace and religious harmony during Muharram.

District Police Officer Saleem Abbas Kulachi visited the Hussania Imambargah in Bannu city on Saturday and met with Shia ulema to discuss the Muharram security plan.

DSP (headquarters) Rizwan Khan and DSP city Arshad Khan also accompanied him.

Shia leaders Nauroz Ali Karbalai and Babar Ali briefed the district police chief about security arrangements of the Imambargah and mourning processions during Muharram.

Asks officials to enhance security measures

Mr Saleem also inspected the routes of procession from the Imambargah to Milad Park via Mandan Gate and Mandan Chowk, and issued special instructions to officials to enhance security measures.

He said that the district police would put in place all resources for peaceful observance of the coming Aushura.

The DPO said the personnel deployed to protect mourners and processions should strictly follow security advisory.

He said the effective implementation of the security plan would help ensure peaceful observance of Ashura and avert any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, elders and youth have set up a body to resolve issues of residents of Lakki Marwat city.

The formation of Lakki City Nangyali came during a meeting here on Saturday.

The participants said that they felt the need for setting up the body after residents getting electricity from the Old Kutcheri feeder faced prolonged power outages, low voltage and fluctuation problems by the power supply company.

They vowed to make joint efforts to resolve electricity, gas and water problems.

The participants elected chairman of the city’s neighbourhood council Engineer Latifullah Khan as the chairman of the organisation.

The other members included Syed Misbahullah as the senior vice chairman, Arif Khan Meenakhel as vice chairman, Shahab Gul as general secretary, Sohail Khan as deputy general secretary, Ali Khan as joint secretary, Bin Yamin Khan as finance secretary, Jamil Khan Haqdadabadi as information secretary and Shahzeb Khan as social media secretary.

Former Lakki tehsil naib nazim Hafiz Asif Saleem and Imranullah Begukhel were appointed the legal adviser and chief coordinator, respectively.

Latifullah told reporters that in the first phase, they would take up with local authorities the issues of power and gas outages, lack of civic amenities, poor hygienic conditions and water shortage for resolution.

“If our genuine grievances are not addressed, we will take to the streets,” he warned.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2025