PESHAWAR: The workers of different political parties, students, traders and members of civil society organisations took out rallies in different areas of the provincial metropolis to show solidarity with armed forces.

The rallies were led by elected representatives of different political and political leaders. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MNA Sardar Yousuf led a procession from Mansehra to Peshawar. Leaders of PML-N including opposition leader in provincial assembly Dr Ibad Khan, women MPA Sobia Khan and MPA Malik Tariq Awan also led processions.

Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Arbab Zarak took out a separate procession. In addition, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Parliamentarians (PTI-P) MPA Arbab Waseem also led a procession. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl MNA Noor Alam Khan also took out a procession to show solidarity with armed forces.

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The rally of business community was led by Tajir Insaf Group president Shahid Khan, Malik Khan Said and others.

Participants demand punishment for people involved in May 9 riots

In the morning, the students of Army Public School Peshawar visited Radio Pakistan building and lit candles to express solidarity with armed forces. The participants of the rallies were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against those, who damaged government buildings and state installations.

Addressing the participants, the leaders of rallies came down hard on arsonists, who ransacked army installations in different parts of the country and government properties. They said that armed forces were a symbol of national security.

They said that personnel of security forces sacrificed their lives to protect the motherland. They said that armed forces rendered tremendous sacrifices in the war against terrorism to restore peace in the country.

Speakers said that causing damage to properties of government and armed forces was an act of enemy. They said that they would not allow any worker of any political party to use foul language against the defenders of the country’s borders. They vowed to raise voice for support of armed forces in future too.

In Swabi, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that no patriotic Pakistani could ever forget riots on May 9, 2023. He said that all the people involved in the riots should be awarded exemplary punishment.

Talking to journalists during his visit to the mausoleum of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed, he said that the protesters politically instigated by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leaders caused anarchy in the country. He said that it was a pressing demand of all Pakistanis that the group, party and people involved in May 9 riots should be punishment.

The governor laid wreath on the mausoleum of Karnal Sher Khan and offered fateha.

In Kohat, a rally was held on Indus Highway by political activists and social workers to show solidarity with army. People from Kohat, Karak, Hangu, Orakzai, Kurram districts and Darra Adamkhel participated in the rally to show solidarity with army.

In Mohmand, local elders held a rally in support of army in Safi tehsil. The rally, led by Malik Sadol Khan and Malik Ibrahim Khan, started from Mamad Cadet College and ended at Qanadahri Bazaar.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2024