In support Imam of mosque reinstated after protests

KOHAT/ PARACHINAR: Talks between the political administration and a tribal jirga from Kohat concluded successfully after officials agreed to reinstate Allama Muhammad Nawaz as the imam of the Markazi Jamia asjid. Nawaz, also known as Allama Irfani, was removed around seven months ago under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) for alleged hate speech. An 18-day sit-in also ended after an agreement was signed between tribal elders and officials at the Governor House, Parachinar. The jirga was led by former chief justice of Peshawar High Court Syed Ibne Ali. Local sources said Political Agent Mehsud Riaz agreed to bring back the imam before Eidul Azha and release 60 tribal elders who were arrested for supporting him. Protests demanding the Imam’s reinstatement started in different areas of Parachinar and gained momentum after the political administration prevented journalists from covering the issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2014.