KOHAT: Kohat division commissioner Syed Motasim Billah has sought cooperation of the public and the relevant departments to ensure peace during Muharram.

He was speaking at a jirga held here on Sunday.

Regional police officer Abbas Majeed Marwat, provincial law minister Aftab Alam Advocate, minister for agriculture Major retired Sajjad Barakwal, MNAs Shehryar Afridi, Shahid Khan Khattak, MPAs Shafi Jan, Aurangzeb Orakzai, Daud Afridi and Shah Turab Khan, Sunni and Shia scholars and elders, office-bearers of traders’ unions, administrative and law enforcement officials were in attendance.

The commissioner, while explaining the aims and objectives of the jirga, said that in the context of the recent Indian aggression, this Muharram was going to be held in specific circumstances, therefore, they had to remain extra vigilant to thwart any conspiracy of the enemy.

“Special attention should be paid to social media, which is under external control and every news, post and video spread on it should be thoroughly investigated,” Mr Billah Shah stressed.

On the occasion, RPO Mr Marwat said all arrangements had been finalised to avoid any unpleasant incident during Muharram.

He said a large number of personnel had been deployed at all the sensitive places and on the rooftops of buildings along the mourning procession routes.

The participants vowed to ensure observance of Muharram in a peaceful manner and thwart any sabotage bid.

At the end, prayers were offered for the integrity, solidarity, peace, development and prosperity of the country.

Special prayers were also offered for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country and the martyrs of the Swat tragedy, and for the speedy recovery of the injured.

ARRESTED: Six people were arrested while bathing in the Indus River in Khushalgarh area here on Sunday for violating a ban on bathing and swimming in rivers under Section 144.

The Gumbat police said the people were taking bath in violation of the restriction in view of the flood alert warning.

Those rounded up included Lal Mohammad from Rawalpindi, Abdul Taimoor of Kohat, Gulrez of Attock, Hayat, and Mubarik of Karak.

The police sent them to the lock-up after registration of FIR against them under Section 188.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2025