Unforgettable: Babra massacre remembered across K-P

Events held in Charsadda, Swabi, tribal areas

CHARSADDA/SWABI: The people killed in Babra area of Charsadda district of the then North-West Frontier Province were remembered across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas on Friday.

The day is commemorated in the memory of hundreds of Khudai Khidmatgar movement workers who were killed during a march that was held to protest an ordinance related to property. The killing was ordered by the then chief minister, Abdul Qayyum Khan.

To mark the day, Awami National Party and ANP-Wali organised separate events in Charsadda.

ANP-W leaders gathered at the monument of those killed.

On the occasion, ANP-W Chairperson Begum Naseem Wali said Pakistan has still not gained independence in its real sense. She criticised the disgrace Afghan Pukhtuns were subjected to in the name of repatriation. On the other hand, she added, the rights of Pukhtuns were being looted in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects.

Besides, ANP Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain also visited the monument.

While speaking to journalists on the occasion, Mian Iftikhar also expressed concerns over the way repatriation was taking place. He said the amicable relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan should not be affected as both the countries can overcome terrorism through mutual understanding. “Mistrust between two brother nations is not a good sign for peace in the region,” he said.

“Government has failed to implement NAP,” Mian Iftikhar said.

He added, “We are against selective accountability. Everyone should be accountable and accountability should be across the board.”

Similar events were held in Bajaur and Mohmand agencies and Swabi.

In Swabi, prayers were arranged for the people killed in Babra massacre.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2016.