PESHAWAR - In order to condemn the government for the use of force against the peaceful tribesmen participating in a sit-in along with the dead bodies outside the Governor House, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Thursday announced to hold demonstrations today, across FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing a news conference here at the Press Club, the JUI-F Deputy General Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mufti Abdul Shakur said that holding peaceful sit-in of the tribal people was their legitimate right and the use of force by the rulers was a shameful act. He added that on the call of their party chief JUI-F workers would stage a sit-in against the killing of 18 innocent tribal people hailing of Bara Khyber Agency.
Mufti Shakur informed that they will stage the sit-in in a peaceful manner without creating any hurdles or causing difficulties to masses. He strongly condemned the force was used against the peaceful protest demonstrators outside the Governor House’s in Peshawar and a students sit-in on main Sher Shah Suri road, adding that holding protest was a legitimate right of members of the families from Bara. The JUI-F leader said that such forceful tactics could further create turbulent situation in the province and rest of the parts of the country.
He observed that a massive devastation was occurred due to prolonged military operations, whereas the business and education activities were adversely affected. “Tribesmen are not terrorists and not having linked with any terrorist’s organization, but a patriotic and honest citizens of the state, who always rendered their lives for protection of borders without any incentive, he viewed.
The JUI leader demanded of the government to immediately lift the curfew imposed for years in Bara, end the ongoing military operation in Khyber Agency.
Meanwhile, activities of Jamaat-e-Islami district Peshawar held a peaceful protest demonstration in Hashtnagri area, against the government for the use of force against peaceful protestors outside Governor House. The JI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter ameer Prof Ibrahim strongly condemned police shelling and baton charge on peaceful protestors.
He added that police personnel didn’t care the sanctity of dead bodies and started barbarism against already distressed people. The government should have to extend sympathy with the bereaved families, nor to order such shameful act, he maintained. In protest the JI workers will also hold protest demos across the province and in Fata today.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa government has decided to provide bulletproof vehicle to Peshawar police after the unending incidents of terror attacks and firing on police mobiles. Police source said that the government has decided to convert ordinary vehicle into bulletproof jeeps and pick-ups for police usage. According to the decision, a total of 274 vehicles would be converted into bullet proof ones, which would cost a total of 2 billion rupees, the sources added.
Earlier, IGP Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Akbar Khan Hoti had informed the provincial government that 695 policemen were killed in the incidents of blast and firing on police during last five years.
The IGP had expressed his reservations over the law and order situation in the region and had added that carrying out duties was becoming difficult in the areas lacking peace.
The sources said that the step would be helpful in making police able to perform duties in the sensitive areas.