Fazl condemns 'state violence' on jirga
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly condemned the violence against the proscribed Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) during its jirga, where several of its workers were injured, and some lost their lives.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, the JUI-F chief expressed his grief over the casualties and criticised the government's actions, saying, "The government has targeted unarmed citizens, leading to deaths and injuries. We condemn this brutal act."
Fazl questioned the reasoning behind declaring PTM a banned organization, calling it an undemocratic move. "I fail to understand why this organisation has been outlawed. Such actions are against democratic values, and we cannot support them," he said.
Offering condolences to the families of the deceased, he assured them of his party's support.
Rehman affirmed that JUI-F members would be allowed to participate in the jirga, and the party's delegation would join in solidarity with PTM. "We have always raised our voice on these issues, and we will continue to do so. A delegation of ten JUI-F members will attend the jirga in support," he added.
He further revealed that the party is consulting internally regarding a potential movement and announced that after the completion of the party's Majlis-e-Shura session, nationwide protests would be organised.
Rehman demanded that the government compensate the families of the martyrs and provide medical treatment for the injured at its own expense.
It may be mentioned here that media reports on Thursday indicated that the federal government has agreed, in principle, to lift the recent ban on the PTM, though with certain conditions.
The decision was reached during a multiparty grand jirga hosted by the provincial government.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi authorised the provincial government's jirga to engage in talks with the banned PTM to resolve contentious issues.
The jirga will be led by Speaker K-P Assembly Babar Saleem Swati and include parliamentary leaders and MPAs from both the treasury and opposition.
The ban on PTM was imposed last Sunday under Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997, citing threats to national peace and security.
The notification described PTM as a "significant danger" to public order, leading to a crackdown on PTM members in Peshawar and other parts of the province. Police raids on the venue of the planned Jirga in Jamrud resulted in the arrest of dozens of PTM activists, with three people reportedly killed and 10 others injured.
During Wednesday's K-P Assembly session, lawmakers condemned the police actions, with both sides agreeing to form a committee to address the situation.
The grand jirga, chaired by CM Gandapur, took place on Thursday, attended by Interior Minister Naqvi, K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and key political figures including Amir Maqam (PML-N), Aimal Wali Khan (ANP), Prof Ibrahim (Jamaat-e-Islami), and Mohsin Dawar (National Democratic Movement).
Reports suggested that K-P's political leadership is united in its efforts to restore peace in the province.