PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami has given a one-week deadline to the government to replace the district police officer of Chitral and release all those arrested under the anti-terrorism law, otherwise the party will start an agitation campaign.

This was stated by former MNA and JI leader Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali while speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday. He insisted that a person allegedly involved in blasphemy was provided protection and those protesting against him were arrested under the anti-terrorism law and sent to Dera Ismail Khan jail.

“We will challenge the case in the Peshawar High Court because it is illegal,” the former lawmaker said.

The JI leader claimed that the alleged blasphemer was healthy and had no mental problem as he had changed his statement in court and before police.

He argued that the man had come to Shahi Masjid in Chitral city under a well-planned strategy to hurt sentiments of Muslims.

Mr Chitrali demanded withdrawal of cases against the demonstrators and awarding punishment to the alleged blasphemer as per law of the land.

The JI leader said that police had arrested more than 20 people who were subjected to brutal torture during seven-day police custody without any court order.

He alleged that SP Chitral Ali Akbar had misused his official powers as he ordered torture of people without any lawful authority.

“We will pray to the PHC to order registration of case against the SP under ATA,” he said.

The JI leader said the torture of peaceful demonstrators was an attempt to create law and order and sectarian violence in Chitral.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2017