LOWER DIR: Thousands of people participated in a massive Aman Pasoon (peace march) in Kumbar Maidan to demand restoration of lasting peace and oppose launch of any military operation in the area.

The peace march was held under the auspices of Maidan Action Committee. Carrying white flags and chanting slogans like “We want peace”, the participants of the march declared that Maidan was a peaceful area and no one would be allowed to disrupt its peace. They said that ensuring peace was the duty of the government and security institutions and they should step aside if they could not fulfil their duty.

Maidan Action Committee president and former MPA Haji Saeed Gul, Special Assistant to Chief Minister MPA Malik Liaqat Ali Khan, JI youth district president Atiqur Rehman, Al-Khidmat Foundation district president Hafeezullah Khaksar, ANP’s Malik Fazal Rahim, PTI’s Ali Shah Mishwani, and PML-N’s Janzada among others addressed the rally.

“If the authorities cannot restore peace, they should pack up and leave, the people will be forced to take up arms for their protection. We are ready to sacrifice our lives, but we will not abandon our homes or migrate again,” said a speaker.

Locals say they will sacrifice their lives instead of leaving their homes

The participant of the march unequivocally rejected launch of any new military operation in the region. They recalled that the people of Maidan had suffered forced displacement in the past during military operations and would not accept it again. “If any innocent person is martyred, we will not bury the body until the killers are arrested,” vowed the participants.

Malik Liaqat Ali Khan said that suspected people and unidentified ndividuals should be dealt with severely and even shot if necessary.

In a joint resolution presented by Haji Saeed Gul, the protesters demanded of the state to take immediate and concrete measures to restore peace and ensure safety of people. “Before launching any action, military and security forces must consult and take people into confidence. This is a constitutional and democratic right of the people,” the resolution stated.

The speakers also criticised growing incidents of extortion and organised robberies in Maidan. They said that silence and negligence of responsible institutions created doubts in mind of people and urged those institutions to fulfil their duty and address grievances of people.

They said that since 2009, the region had been plagued by unrest, pushing locals into psychological distress, economic decline and rampant unemployment. They said that the people of Maidan could no longer bear unrest or military action.

The resolution said that the residents of Maidan would neither tolerate lawlessness nor would abandon their homes.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2025