LAKKI MARWAT: The Marwat Qaumi Jirga has warned “anti-peace elements” to leave the area to prevent a strict action by the residents.

The warning was issued during a meeting chaired by Raees of Eesakkhel Haji Mohammad Aslam Khan at Eesakhel House in Lakki Marwat city.

The meeting was called in the backdrop of Sunday’s massive gathering of tribesmen from across the district to express their desire for peace.

The participants included former MNA Naseer Mohammad Khan, former federal secretary Akhtar Munir Marwat, Lakki tehsil council chairman Shafqatullah Khan Khoidadkhel, Ghaznikhel tehsil council chairman Zeshan Mohammad Khan, former district nazim Iqbal Hussain, former tehsil nazim Fareedullah Khan Meenakhel and elders Haji Mohammad Yaqoob Khan, Maulana Samiullah Mujahid, Malik Najibullah Khan, Maulana Asghar Ali and Nawabzada Abdul Rahim Khan.

Urges govt to restore peace

They discussed the matters pertaining to the law and order situation and peace efforts in the region.

After the meeting, Mr Akhtar Marwat told reporters that the local tribesmen were fed up with the poor law and order situation in the area and were pressuring elders and Marwat Jirga’s members to play an effective role for peace.

“We regularly pay taxes, so the government should fulfil its prime responsibility to restore peace,” he said.

Mr Marwat said the Marwat Jirga held several meetings with authorities to ask them for peace measures.

“If the state cannot establish its writ, the Marwat tribesmen will stand up for peace,” he said.

He said the Jirga asked anti-peace elements to leave the area within three weeks otherwise the tribesmen would rise up against them.

ARRESTED: Police arrested a proclaimed offender after an encounter in the Serai Naurang area here late on Sunday.

An official told reporters that after learning about the presence of wanted man Amanullah in Topi Kallay, the police sent a team to the rural area for his arrest.

He added that as the police spotted the outlaw near a canal, he opened fire on them.

“Police returned fire, injuring the outlaw, who was later held with an assault rifle, ammunition, and hashish,” he said.

The official said the proclaimed offender was shifted to the tehsil headquarters hospital in Naurang town.

Also, two proclaimed offenders escaped arrest as the police raided their hideout in Wanda Aurangzeb village of Kurrum Par area here.

The raid was part of a search and strike operation in the trans-river belt bordering Karak and Mianwali districts, according to a police official.

He said Javed and Sher Ali Baz left their hideout before the police led by DPO Taimur Khan showed up.

The official said several suspects were held and arms and ammunition seized during the search and strike operation.

Meanwhile, the DPO has suspended Ghaznikhel police station SHO Shafqatullah Khan over poor performance and dereliction of duty and asked him to report to the police lines.

He was succeeded by ASI Sajjad Khan.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2024