MANSEHRA: The enraged protesters, who had set ablaze the Balakot police station and a patrolling van against the killing of a TikToker allegedly by a policeman on Monday, dispersed in the early hours of Tuesday after the police registered an FIR into the case.

“I have talked with DIG Hazara Nasir Mehmood Satti, who assured me of fulfilling all legal formalities in the case,” federal minister for Hajj and interfaith harmony Sardar Mohammad Yusuf told reporters after meeting with the Hazara police chief.

The protesters had blocked the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road, following the killing of TikToker Mohammad Javed alias Mahandri on Monday night.

Police arrested the suspected killer, Mohammad Shahid, after lodging an FIR against him under Section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code.

Minister says Hazara DIG promised fulfilling all legal formalities in the case

Footage of the incident also went viral on social media, where the constable is seen rushing towards Javed and firing at him after he allegedly hurled some disgraceful remarks against the cop.

The slain TikToker was famous for his natural Hindko accent in his TikTok videos and having acquaintance with political personalities of the region.

MPA from Balakot Munir Hussain Lughmani told reporters that police had lodged FIR against the constable, and would proceed against him under the law.

A large number of people from different walks of life, including federal minister Sardar Mohammad Yusuf and MPA Munir Lughmani, attended the funeral prayers of the slain TikToker, following which he was laid to rest at a local graveyard.

LAPTOPS DISTRIBUTED: Federal minister Sardar Yusuf on Tuesday gave away laptops to 697 students, including women, of Hazara University under the prime minister’s youth programme.

“This is a revolutionary step to equip students with laptops so they can get modern and research-oriented education,” he said while speaking at the distribution ceremony held at the varsity.

Hazara University Vice-Chancellor Dr Akramullah Khan was also present on the occasion.

Mr Yusuf and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz office-bearers in Hazara division distributed laptops among students of different departments.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Akramullah said laptop was a modern gadget needed by students to excel in research-oriented education.

“I am optimistic that students would utilise these laptops in their research and other academic work to compete with their counterparts worldwide,” he said.

SECURITY OF CHINESE NATIONALS: Hazara division DIG Nasir Mehmood Satti on Tuesday said that the security of the Chinese nationals executing energy projects across the region had been enhanced in light of the current situation.

“I have reviewed the security being provided to you, as your safety is supreme to us,” he told the Chinese engineers and workers executing a hydropower project in Balakot.

Mr Satti told the Chinese that they should work with peace of mind, as multilayered, foolproof security arrangements had been put in place around the project, including entry and exit points.

He, however, urged the foreign workers to be cautious and never meet with any strangers,” he said.

He said the police force deployed at these projects had been warned of strict action in case of any negligence.

The DIG also visited the residential camps and working sites of the Balakot project and reviewed arrangements put in place for the Chinese movement and their safety.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2026