MANSEHRA, Aug 3: About 14 lawyers of Mansehra announced to form a Pro-Taliban Group (PTG) here on Sunday, saying they were fed up with the political system and politicians of the country.

The members of the newly-formed group declared that the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan was a true representative government of Afghan people.

“We are fed up with the politicians and the political system of the country, and also the Americans, who are involved in anti-Taliban and anti-Muslim propaganda. They are killing innocent Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and other parts of the world. We would not only support Taliban but would also welcome them,” said a press release issued by PTG.

According to the press release, Aurangzeb Jahangery, who had led a foot caravan of Mansehra’s lawyers to Islamabad during the long mach, was elected as patron of PTG and senior advocate Rabnawaz Khan as its media adviser.

“We condemn Nato forces that are attacking the Pakistani soil at the behest of America and killing innocent people,” said the press release, adding that lawyers from various political and religious parties had joined the new group.

Hafiz Mohammad Naseem, president of Mansehra District Bar Association when contacted said that the Bar had nothing to do with the PTG. “Some lawyers have constituted the group in their individual capacity,” he added.

After the spillover of Talibanisation into settled districts from tribal areas it is the first incident of its kind that a group of lawyers, usually considered as law-abiding people, have openly announced their support for Taliban.

RAINS: Heavy rains wrecked havoc in Mansehra and Battagram districts as hundreds of houses and shops were inundated and various roads including Karakoram Highway and Balakot-Naran road were blocked due to landslides.

Due to the heavy downpour, the water level in rivers Kunhar and Siren reached an alarming level. The rain, which started on Saturday night, continued intermittently all day long on Sunday.

The Karakoram Highway was blocked at various points in Kohistan district and Mansehra-Naran road was blocked in the Ghanool area. Dozens of link roads were also blocked in Konsh, Siren and Bakakot tehsil because of landslides.

In Mansehra town, the rainwater entered shops and houses inflicting heavy losses on the owners. The rainwater also inundated Abbottabad road and the adjoining Bara Bazaar area.