Two detainees released from Mardan jail

Police had arrested 16 people for protesting against alleged illegal recruitments

HARIPUR:

Two of 16 persons, who had been detained for protesting against alleged illegal recruitments in the Tarbela Dam extension project, have been released from Mardan jail on medical grounds.

Earlier, police had arrested 16 protesters, including social activist Erum Rasheed, under the maintenance of public order and had shifted them to Mardan jail.

Six of the detainees had filed bail petitions, which were rejected by Judicial Magistrate Amjadullah Khan.

Later, families of two detainees submitted written applications to the Haripur deputy commissioner, who ordered their release on medical grounds.

Legal experts have hinted at approaching Peshawar High Court for the bail of the detainees.

Meanwhile, the elders of the area have also started convening a grand jirga to determine a future course of action to get the detainees released from the jail.

Read Report sought on illegal recruitments

Meanwhile, Trans Cluster Pakistan President Saba Gul has said that they have been working for the welfare of the marginalised section of society, including transgender persons.

She said that people should not see transgender persons with an eye of suspicion but support them.

Gul said that her organisation has arranged the marriage of over 200 poor girls.

She said this while talking to the media on the inauguration of the office of Haripur Shemale Association President Saima Shaukat, who has been elected as vice-president of the cluster.

Saba Gul said that they were providing financial aid to the downtrodden people and also arranging marriage and dowry for the poor girls.

She said that the health centre established by them not only treats members of their community but also children, women and elderly people.

She said that the government has set up a body for transgender people and she was selecting officials from across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2021.