Security plans: Shias, Sunnis hold grand jirga in Hangu

HANGU:

Adherents of Shia and Sunni sects jointly held a grand jirga in Hangu, the headquarters of Orakzai Agency on Thursday.

“The month of Muharram has blessings, [but if need be] Pukhtuns are brave and courageous enough to deal with any situation,” said Brigadier Muhammad Ali, while addressing the participants on the occasion. “The enemies want to break us [by their tactics] during this month but we will not let them succeed.”

Hangu has always had a security threat during Muharram. The brigadier said anti-social elements want to destabilise the nation but if everyone stands united, no force would be able to break them.

He stressed upon the role of the army, saying it was their responsibility to provide security to the people. Hangu Deputy Commissioner Syed Mujeeb who was also present on the occasion said security had been tightened across the district and people need to cooperate with the security forces during the month.

Orakzai Agency Political Agent Muhammad Zubair Khan, Hangu DPO Shah Nazar Khan and district nazim Mufti Ubaidullah were also in attendance.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2015.