LANDI KOTAL, Oct 17: Christian families evicted from the army camp in Landi Kotal area continued protesting at Charwazgai Chowk for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday.

The Khyber Rifles authorities have refused to allow protesters to go to the camp houses.

Fanyas Masih, a spokesman for protesters, told Dawn that men had established a protest camp as female members of their families still lived in the camp.

“No one is ready to listen to our woes. The commandant of Khyber Rifles has refused to meet our delegation, while the political administration insists the matter is beyond its domain,” he said.

The spokesman said besides establishing a protest camp, the evicted families had also stopped cleaning Landi Kotal Bazaar and army camp.

“We are not entitled to any other government service nor could we own private property,” he said, adding that the affected families had no place to go after their expulsion from the camp.

Meanwhile, official sources said action against Christians was taken on security grounds.

“Many of them have taken up sanitation jobs across the border in Torkhum, Marko, Jalalabad and even Kabul and frequently go to Afghanistan although on legal documents,” the official said and adding that such activities by Christians living in army camp in Landi Kotal had aroused suspensions in the minds of Khyber Rifles bosses.

When contacted, Mr Masih confirmed that six to seven members of Christian community had taken up manual jobs in Afghanistan, while some had violated law by entering houses in the locality or making and selling liquor.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...