LAKKI MARWAT: Locals here on Tuesday blocked Peshawar-Karachi Highway at Manjiwala Chowk in protest against the kidnapping of four teenagers.

A group of protesters from Nar Mohammad Ghaznikhel, Marmandi Azeem and other adjacent localities blocked the road, disrupting traffic on Manjiwala link road. The blockade of road caused inconvenience to transporters and commuters in the scorching heat.

Talking to journalists, the protesters said that four teenage boys had been kidnapped by unidentified men from the rural areas over the last one week, creating panic among families.

“We approached relevant government officials to recover the kidnapped boys but to no avail,” a protester said.

The protesters demanded of police and district administration to ensure safe recovery of the kidnapped boys at the earliest.

The closure of the highway for several hours prompted local administration and police authorities to rush to the venue.

A government team led by the additional deputy commissioner, Habibullah Wazir, and SP Murad Khan assured the protesters that they would spare no effort to recover the boys.

Later, the protesters reopened the road and dispersed peacefully.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026