BAJAUR: The participants of a mammoth gathering here on Tuesday pledged to play their role for maintenance of peace in the district.

People from different walks of life including tribal elders, social workers, political activists, traders and transporters attended the rally in a large number. The gathering was planned a couple of weeks ago in the face of growing incidents of militancy in the district.

The rally was dedicated to those 64 people, who were killed in a suicide attack on the convention of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl on July 30 last year. The participants were carrying white flags with peace logo inscribed on them.

Some people were also holding photos of the victims of last year’s suicide bombing while others were carrying photos of victims of targeted attacks such as former senator Hadyatullah Khan and youth leader Rehanzab Khan. They were chanting slogans in favour of peace and against growing lawlessness in the district.

MNA Mubarakzeb Khan, MPA Anwarzeb Khan, MPA Ajmal Khan, MPA Dr Hamidur Rahman, former governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan, former lawmaker Guldad Khan, former MNA Gul Zafar Khan, MPA Mohammad Nisar Khan, PPP leader Syed Akhunzada Chattan, JI leader Sahibzada Haroon Rasheed, JUI-F leader Maulana Mohammad Laiq, ANP leaders Gul Afzal Khan and Maulana Khanzeb, Bajaur Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Haji Lali Shah, Khar tehsil council chairman Haji Said Badshah, Nawagai tehsil council chairman Dr Khalilur Rahman, PML-N leader Malik Gul Kareem Khan and Malik Mohammad Shah addressed the rally.

They said that such meetings were vital for improvement of law and order in the district. They said that Bajaur witnessed scores of violent incidents during the past few years.

Speakers urged quarters concerned to fulfil their responsibilities of ensuring safety and security to residents of the district and their properties with commitment and sincerity. They said that residents of Bajaur were peace-loving people and they were not ready to tolerate any activity that could affect peace.

They asked local lawmakers to raise the issue in parliament. However, some of them said that everything should not be left to the government and people should also play their role in maintenance of peace in their respective areas.

Speakers urged locals to remain vigilante and keep an eye on movement of suspected people in their respective areas. “This crowded, successful and peaceful gathering shows that people of Bajaur are truly peaceful, civilised and responsible citizens, who want peace through peaceful way,” they added.

The participants on the occasion pledged to continue holding such rallies until exemplary and durable peace was restored in the district. They said that their district was once famous for peace and hospitality.

Later, the participants of the rally paid tributes to the victims of July 18 suicide bombing that left 64 people dead and more than 100 wounded last year.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024