KOHAT, Nov 15: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir Akhtar has said that FC and police will be deployed in Hangu and other areas of Kohat division during Muharram to thwart any sabotage bid.

He said that army would be on standby in all main areas and local administration would be authorised to call in it if there was a need.

Talking to a joint jirga of Shia and Sunni leaders from Hangu on Thursday, the chief secretary said that the decision to keep army on standby during Muharram was taken owing to sensitive situation of Hangu.

He asked the leaders of both sects to ensure peace and harmony during Muharram and hold regular meetings for removing reservations of each other regarding the controversy over the passing of mourners’ procession through the main bazaar.

Mr Dastagir urged them to frustrate the nefarious designs of terrorists, who wanted to disrupt peace during Muharram. He said that all the sects should promote harmony in the larger interest of the state.

Sunni Supreme Council chairman Maulana Abdul Sattar, Haji Shafique, Haji Badshah, Khursheed Anwar Jawadi, Malik Irfan, Syed Hussain Ali Shah and others attended the jirga.

Later, he chaired a meeting of the officers of Kohat division. Kohat Commissioner Sahibzada Mohammad Anees; the district coordination officers of Kohat, Hangu and Karak; district police officers of Kohat, Hangu and Karak and other administrative officers attended the meeting.

The chief secretary directed them to take all sects into confidence regarding the Muharram procession.

He told the elders of Hangu and Orakzai Agency that army would be on standby in the main areas of Kohat division during Muharram.

The chief secretary said that military operations in tribal areas would continue till elimination of the last terrorist.

Meanwhile, tense clam prevailed in Hangu ahead of Muharram. Sources said that several families started leaving Hangu for Kohat and other parts of the province as they feared terrorist attacks in the district during Muharram.