Return of terror sparks huge protest in Lakki

Speakers oppose military operation, displacement of locals

LAKKI MARWAT:

Tens of thousands of people on Saturday took to the streets to record their protest against the ever-deteriorating law and order situation in Lakki Marwat district of Khyber[1]Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

A large numbers of local residents including political workers of all parties, civil society, lawyers and students participated in the protest.

On Friday Olasi Pasawon Lakki Marwat has given a call for the protest after terrorists attacked a local college where army is camped.

A march was also part of the protest which started from Aman Chowk and ended at Shaheed Abid Ali Chowk which was attended by thousands of people.

Manzoor Pashteen of Pakhtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and Awami National Party (ANP) Senior Vice President Shahi Khan Shirani also attended the protest.

The participants chanted slogans and demanded strict action against the terrorists to eliminate the menace for good.

Read Martyred soldiers of Lakki Marwat attack laid to rest

The participants also passed a resolution on this occasion to name the Kargil Chowk as Aman Chowk.

“Let us make it clear to the government and everyone that no military operation will be tolerated.

We will not allow anyone to displace thousands of local residents in the name of so-called military operation,” said the speakers while addressing the participants.

On this occasion Manzoor Pashteen said that if terrorism and subsequent operations are not stopped in the Pakhtun land then they would have no option but to go for a protest outside the palaces of the rulers in Islamabad.

He urged the local residents of Lakki Marwat to stand united and jointly struggle against lawlessness in the district so that lasting peace could be established in the region.

“Everyone eyes underground gas and oil reserves in the region which is underground but no one is willing to pay attention to the poor road infrastructure and lack of other facilities above the ground,” he said.

It may be mentioned here that Lakki is one of the most volatile districts in K-P since the fall of Kabul to Taliban after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

The US withdrawal provided the TTP with a golden opportunity to regroup without any obstacle and focus their energy on cross border terrorism in Pakistan.

On Friday a large number of locals protested against bad law and order situation in Swat.