PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has said that fighting against the state is not Jihad but ignorance, and the state will fight till militancy is eliminated and peace is restored in the country.

“Come out of ignorance and reform yourself. Whatever you do, we will fight until the last one of you is eliminated,” Mr Gandapur asked the militants while addressing a function held here on Sunday to mark the Youm-i-Shuhada.

Mr Gandapur also offered the militants that if they really wanted to do jihad, a meeting would be arranged between them and religious scholars, and the ulema would identify the places for Jihad.

The chief minister said that the province could not develop until militancy was rooted out, and assured the provincial police chief of all-out support and provision of everything required ‘even if the treasury was empty.’

Offers militants a meeting with scholars to discuss jihad; pays tribute to police martyrs at Youm-i-Shuhada function in Peshawar; events also held across KP

“We will keep other priorities at a side for maintaining law and order in the country. We will release funds for whatever technology and equipment required for fighting militants,” Mr Gandapur said.

He said that he was proud of being the chief executive of KP –the province on the frontlines in the war against militancy – and added that all the law enforcement agencies, including police and the security forces, were fighting against both internal and external forces.

“Avoid criticising the forces, officers and Ghazis due to mistakes of a few individuals. They need our support,” the chief minister requested people, saying that children of the Shuhada would be prioritised ‘from the Chief Minister’s House to every government office’.

The chief minister said that police department was already short of funds and announced that 20% of the revenue generated from traffic chalans would be spent on children of the martyred personnel.

“The peace you see in the province is just because of the sacrifices these martyred personnel have offered. We will reduce developmental schemes and prioritise facilities and education for children of the martyred personnel,” the chief minister said.

In his address on the occasion, KP police chief Akhtar Hayat Khan said that he was proud of leading a brave force. “Over 2,000 police personnel, including officers, have offered sacrifices,” he said, adding that in order to strengthen the force, modern weaponry and latest technology was being provided to it.

Youm-i-Shuhada was also observed in other parts of the province.

In Hazara division, martyred police personnel were paid homage for sacrificing their lives in the war against militancy. Officers and personnel visited the graves of the martyred personnel across the division and offered Fateha.

In Lower Kohistan, a ceremony was held at the Pattan Police Lines, where district police officer Mohammad Umar and other officers offered Fateha for the policemen and officers who laid their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony was also attended by the family members of the martyred officers and personnel.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Bannu, regional police officer Imran Shahid said that the supreme sacrifices offered by the police force were unprecedented and would always be remembered. He along with deputy commissioner Abdul Hamid, district police officer Ziauddin Ahmed and military authorities visited the monument of the martyrs at the Iqbal Shaheed Police Lines, presented salute to the martyred cops and offered prayers.

In Lakki Marwat, a function held at the police lines in the District Headquarters Complex, Tajazai, was attended among others by DPO Aqeeq Hussain Bangash, assistant commissioner Yasir Nazir, SP investigations Murad Khan, army officials and family members of the martyrs.

The participants also participated in a peace walk on the premises of the district complex. Officials of the district administration, the police and army distributed gifts among children of the martyred policemen.

Yaum-i-Shuhada was also observed in Dera Ismail Khan to pay homage to the sacrifices rendered by the policemen.

A ceremony was held at the Ejaz Shaheed Police Lines, where regional police officer Nasir Mehmood Satti, acting district and sessions judge Mian Mehmood, additional sessions judge Jameel Khan, district police officer Nasir Mehmood, officers of the Pak Army, SPs investigation, CTD, city, Saddar, sub-divisional police officer, relatives of the martyrs, religious leaders, traders, mediapersons and people from other walks of life participated.

On the occasion, Mr Satti said that the rank and position that the Almighty had given to a martyr in Islam was matchless. “The martyrs are our real heroes and their families are a source of boosting morale of the force,” he said.

Youm-i-Shuhada was also observed in Bajaur with a ceremony held at the police lines in Khar Civil Colony. Senior officials of the district administration, police, security forces and the family members of the martyred cops were also present on the occasion.

A ceremony was held at the Ghalanai Police Lines in Mohmand district to mark the Youm-i-Shuhada.

Similar events were held in North and South Waziristan districts attended by police, military officials and civilians, mostly relatives of the martyred policemen. The participants paid tribute to the sacrifices offered by the police in order to protect the motherland.

Youm-i-Shuhada was also observed in Shangla and Battagram districts.

Shangla deputy commissioner Mohammad Fawad Khan was the chief guest at the function held at the police lines. District police officer Imran Khan, SP investigations Zahid Khan, DSPs, SHOs and other police officials were also present. Relatives and children of the martyred police officials were also in attendance.

Youm-i-Shuhada was also observed in Charsadda, Chitral and other districts across KP.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2024