KOHAT, Nov 29: Local religious leaders and traders will meet in a grand jirga today (Tuesday) to discuss putting a permanent ban on religious and political processions passing through the city's main bazaar.

The jirga would meet in Kotwali Mosque ahead of a government-sponsored jirga on the same issue assembles at the DCO House on December 1.

A similar jirga is expected to be held in Hangu but to review the ban on Muharram processions that has existed in the town since the deadly suicide attack on the mourners in 2006.

The Shia leaders had consistently been demanding freedom to take out Muharram processions but the administration imposed curfew every year for fear of terrorist attack in view of the precarious law and order situation on Kohat-Parachinar highway.

Last year, the Sunni Supreme Council and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Kohat division, had cancelled its Eid Mildun Nabi procession at the request of civil and military authorities for the same reason and to keep peace in the region.

Encouraged by the peace dividend that the ban brought to the population, the leading ulema, former parliamentarians and elders of Kohat division sought the ban to be made permanent. They submitted a written request to the office of the general officer commanding of Pak army in Kohat and intimated provincial and federal governments and the divisional administration of their desire for a permanent ban on passing of processions through the main bazaar on occasions such as the Eid Miladun Nabi, Muharramul Haram, chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and political processions.

The request had been made keeping in view the fears of local business community of Hangu-like riots which caused billions of rupees property losses as a result of a suicide blast in Muharram.

The increasing strikes of Taliban group of Lashkar-i-Jhangvi in the region have sabotaged all efforts of the government and security forces to restore peace in the restive region during past several years.

HARASSMENT ALLEGED: The internally displaced persons (IDPs) belonging to Darra Adam Khel and Kurram Agency have accused Kohat police of harassment and demanded free movement in the district.

The IDP families gathered at Company Park where their elders advised them to keep their computerised national identity cards with them while travelling to avoid harassment by police, as security had been tightened ahead of Muharram.

The meeting, presided over by Malik Sawab Khan, expressed anguish over the treatment meted out to them by the police, saying that they were being treated like Afghan refugees. “Tribesmen are true Pakistanis and have been safeguarding the western frontiers since inception of the country,” he said.

TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION: The Kohat Teachers Association on Monday elected Prof Abdul Hameed as its president and Prof Sajjad secretary.

Other office-bearers include Prof Sherzada, vice president, Muhammad Hanif, joint secretary, Hameed Khan, secretary finance and Zahidullah Shah, secretary information.

Ms Gul Zareen was elected district coordinator of the women wing. Senior teacher Khairullah Hawari administered oath to the new members of the association.