Five days on: Shops reopen in Hangu as curfew is lifted

HANGU:

The district administration has announced the lifting of a five-day curfew imposed in the area after the murder of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MPA Farid Khan on June 3.

The murder of the newly elected lawmaker resulted in violent incidents across Hangu.

Deputy Commissioner Hangu Tahir Zafar Abbasi told journalists on Friday that the decision was taken after a series of initial negotiations between elders of various tribes and the district administration officials. Resultantly, business activity was resumed in the area and markets which were forced shut were allowed to open.

Abbasi added that though the curfew was lifted, security forces would remain deployed in various parts of the district. “Talks with the tribal elders are still under way to ensure peace in the region, and protecting the lives and property of the residents,” he said.

MPA Farid, along with his driver Ayaz and brother Shah Nawaz, was travelling to Hangu city from the suburban Speen Khawra area, when gunmen opened fire on his car, killing Farid on the spot and injuring his driver and brother. Following the incident a curfew was imposed in the area to control the law and order situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2013.