Thousands protest against terrorism in S.waziristan
WA N A : Thousands of people in South Waziristan’s Wana took to the streets on Friday against the recent wave of terrorism and demanded immediate restoration of peace in the region.
The protest comes as terrorism is again rearing its head in the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Pakistan has seen a rise in terrorist atacks across the country, believed to have been planned and directed by the outlawed Tehreek-i-taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders based in Afghanistan.
The TTP, which has ideological linkages with the Afghan Taliban, executed more than 100 atacks last year, most of which happened ater August when the group’s peace talks with the Pakistan government began to falter.
As terrorism rears its head, residents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have taken to the streets, demanding the government do more.
On Thursday, thousands of people came out for peace in Bajaur district.
In Wana, people from all walks of life including political workers, social activists, traders and youth atended the peace march.
Holding white flags and placards, the participants chanted slogans in favour of peace and against the fresh wave of terrorism in the region, particularly in the tribal districts.
Leaders of the PPP, PTM, PML-N and AWP addressed the rally.
Meanwhile, officials said that a decorated senior intelligence officer martyred in a terrorist gun atack earlier this week in Punjab was a “nightmare for Daesh” who had “singlehandedly” denied the Khorasan enterprise of the terrorist group a foothold in the province.
Muhammad Naveed Sadiq, a director at the Inter-services Intelligence (ISI), and his comrade Inspector Nasir Abbas were killed in a gun attack by a terrorist, identified as Umar Khan son of Muhammad Akram Khan, at Bismillah Restaurant on the National Highway in Pirowal, Khanewal, on Jan.3.
Sadiq, who was Officer Commanding of ISI’S counter-terrorism department for Multan Region, had served the premier intelligence agency for more than 16 years.