Surviving the worst: A political, not a terrorist attack, says Akram Durrani

Protests against attempt on leader’s life in several districts

BANNU: Federal Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani dispelled the impression that bid on his life was terrorism. Instead he termed it a political attack.

At least two people were killed and three others injured in the attack on Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader’s convoy in Bannu on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference at Mewa Khel house on Friday, Durrani said, “My political opponents have been carrying out such activities to stop me from working for the betterment of my constituency.” He added, “But they will never succeed in their nefarious designs.”

Durrani said, “We have worked hard for the prosperity and stability of the area and will continue to do so, despite hardships.”

The minister told reporters incidents like the one on Thursday were not new. Durrani recalled a bomb was also planted outside the house of Hamid Shah to stop him from campaigning during elections. “The K-P chief minister has assured me that he will extend all-out cooperation regarding the incident,” he further said.

The federal minister demanded that intelligence and law-enforcement agencies investigate the attack and take stern action against the culprits involved.

He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the attack and announced Rs0.5 million each for the families of the deceased.

Protests grip K-P

The JUI-F workers took to the streets in Charsadda, Swabi, Bannu and Mardan to protest against the attack on the convoy of their leader Akram Durrani.

While addressing the protest in Charsadda, JUI-F MNA Maulana Syed Gohar Shah said the attack on Durrani was a result of government’s failure in maintaining peace and security in the province. He said there might be some political motives behind the attack and the government should conduct a thorough investigation.

The JUI-F leadership in Swabi said the attack on religious figures proved linking terrorism with the religious community was not correct.

Similarly, JUI-F Bannu and Anjuman-e-Tajiran have also protested against the targeted attack on the federal minister. They took out a rally from Masjid Haq Nawaz which terminated at Bannu Press Club. The protesters urged the government to provide security to the masses.

The workers and JUI-F leaders in Mardan also took out a rally against the targeted attack on Durrani’s convoy. The rally was taken out from College Chowk and ended at Mardan Press Club.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th,  2015.