LOWER DIR: Speakers in a multiparty conference here on Monday resented growing trends of violence and intolerance among political workers and urged parties to take corrective measures.

The event was organised by the Dir Qaami Pasoon, a body of the residents working for peace and harmony, in a hotel of Timergara area, where the district leaders of different political parties were in attendance.

The speakers included DQP chief Malik Jehan Alam, ANP MPA Haji Bahadar Khan, PPP leader Mehmood Zeb Khan, former minister Muzaffar Said, Jamaat-i-Islami’s Riaz Mohammad, JUI-F’s Mufti Irfanuddin, PTI’s Qazi Asim Shuiab, Ali Shah Mishwani and others.

They said workers of political parties had been uploading derogatory posts against each other on social media and that trend should be checked without delay.

The speakers said political parties and their workers should respect the thoughts of each other to encourage a healthy political atmosphere.

They said the leadership of all political parties should play their active role in that respect and stop their workers from using social media negatively against opponents.

The participants decided that they won’t hold rallies on the roads to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, the Rescue 1122 officials and volunteers on Monday recovered the body of a teenager from Panjkora River in Kandaro Balambat area here.

Hasnain Khan, a 15-year-old boy of Koheray Malakand area, had drowned in the river on Sunday while bathing.

Also in the day, the Rescue 1122 divers rescued a child after he drowned in the Panjkora River in Shago Kas area.

Mohammad Ishaq of Mayar Jandol area was later shifted to the Timergara DHQ Hospital.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2022