BAJAUR: Jamaat-i-Islami central emir Hafiz Naeemur Rahman here on Monday expressed grave concerns over growing incidents of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called upon federal government to commence a comprehensive dialogue with ruling Taliban in Afghanistan to resolve the longstanding issue of lawlessness in the region.

He was addressing JI workers in a seminary in Inayat Kallay after offering condolence to the family of local leader of party Mohammad Hamid Sufi, who was killed in an armed attack on Thursday evening.

He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially its tribal districts, had been witnessing insurgency during the last several years that claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent people. He alleged that both federal and provincial governments were not taking any practical step to improve the situation.

The JI chief said that protection of the lives and properties of people was the prime responsibility of government. He said that rulers failed to fulfil their responsibility. He said that federal and provincial governments made tall claims about taking tangible steps to end acts of violence in the province.

Hafiz Naeem shows concern over growing incidents of targeted killings

He said that the growing incidents of targeted killings and other violence in the province showed that restoration of peace was not the priorities of the government.

The JI leader said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not ready to tolerate such acts that were not only claiming their lives but also affecting their business and daily life. He asked government to take the issue seriously as the situation was tarnishing the image of country and trust of investors.

“This is my humble request to the government and other authorities concerned to kindly begin a comprehensive and result-oriented dialogue with Afghan rulers about the issue of peace as I am confident that it will help to end the ongoing violence in the country,” he said.

He said that friendly relations with neighbouring Afghanistan were must for restoration of durable peace in the country.

The JI chief termed the killing of Mohammad Hamid Sufi not only a great loss to the party but for the entire district. He said that Mr Sufi always worked for welfare of people by rising their issues and problems. “Such committed and people-friendly persons are born in centuries,” he added.

The gathering was also addressed by JI leader Inayatullah Khan. He asked JI workers to play their due role for restoration of peace in the region.

ARREST: Police on Monday arrested six persons including a relative of MNA Mubarak Zeb Khan and a local leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for the clash during final match of a cricket tournament on November 1 that left one person dead and seven others, including three policemen, injured.

Police sources said that Mian Habib Gul, Fazl Amin Salarzai, Suleman Khan Safi, Gul Munir Azad, Muhib Danish and Ishaq Zia were arrested from the premises of district judicial complex after a local court rejected their bail application.

They said that seven persons were nominated in the FIR registered at Khar police station on the complaint of ASI Lal Rahman a day after the occurrence of the incident at Bajaur Sports Complex on November 1 evening.

They said that Mian Habib Gul was cousin of MNA Mubarak Zab and Ishaq Zia was a local leader of PTI. All the arrested persons were charged under sections 322, 324, 353, 148 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for turning a tournament into a violent event, stealing and destroying furniture and other facilities of the sports complex.

JI chief urges political forces to unite for peace

Our correspondent from Lower Dir adds: JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday urged all political parties to unite for sustainable peace in the country.

He was talking to JI workers on his arrival at Chakdara interchange on Swat Motorway. Earlier the JI workers, led by their district chief Maulana Asadullah, warmly received the party’s central chief on his first visit to the region. The JI chief was on his way to attend a condolence reference in Bajaur.

Hafiz Naeem condemned the killing of Mohammad Hameed Sufi, the JI Bajaur chapter general secretary, who was killed by unidentified attackers in Bajaur a few days ago. He said that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure security of citizens.

He claimed that Pakistan was being subjected to yet another proxy war in its tribal districts. He said that it was a suitable time for all political parties to sit together and resolve the issue of militancy and lawlessness.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2024