BAJAUR: The Awami National Party (ANP) leaders in Bajaur have welcomed the constitution of commission of inquiry to probe the killing of party’s senior leader and notable peace activist Maulana Khanzeb by the prime minister, Shahabaz Sharif, saying it was their long-standing demand.
According to the media reports, the prime minister has ordered the constitution of a commission of inquiry into the martyrdom of Maulana Khanzeb through an official notification shared from his office on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
“The prime minster has been pleased to direct that the ministry of law and justice shall submit a summary, for consideration of the federal cabinet to constitute a single member Commission of Inquiry comprising a judge of the Supreme Court under Section 3 of the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry Act, 2017.
The commission shall inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Maulana Khanzeb, who was targeted on 10th July 2025 in Khar, Bajaur, and shall determine responsibility for the incident, read the notification from Sarah Aslam, additional secretary law and justice division Islamabad.
“Now we hope to get justice from the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” stated Mr Aimal Wali Khan, ANP president, in his post also shared from the ANP official face book page.
ANTI-ENCROACHMENT DRIVE: The Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Khar on Friday removed scores of longstanding unauthorised bus stands, kiosks and handcarts here in Khar bazaar during a massive anti-encroachment drive.
The drive, aimed at clearing the entire Khar bazaar - a main trade centre of the district - from all kinds of illegal bus stands, stalls and carts established over the past several years, was launched under the joint supervision of senior officials of the district administration and the TMA,” said a statement.
It stated that during the drive, a massive action against encroachment led jointly by the additional assistant commissioner Khar and tehsil municipal officer, all the illegal bus stands, tea and vegetable stalls and handcarts used for selling vegetables and fruits were removed from the entire bazaar, including the busy Shingas market.
The statement mentioned that the action against the unauthorised structures was conducted after the owners failed to abolish their unlawful structures voluntarily, despite being instructed to do so a month ago.
The statement added that, besides razing the unlawful bus stands, shops, fruit and vegetable stalls, tea cafes and handcarts, most of the materials and belongings were seized and shifted to the TMA’s office.
According to the statement issued from the TMO’s office, national identity cards of several owners of the unlawful structures were also seized to fine them under the local government act, deterring them from committing such illegal activities in future.
Meanwhile, many owners of the alleged unlawful structures, mostly the handcarts, have condemned the action and termed it a great injustice with them.
“Razing infrastructures and seizure of handcarts, which are our only means of livelihood, tantamount to depriving us of our right to earn a living,” they complained.
They demanded of the officials to immediately return their carts and allocation of suitable places for their work.
Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2025
