Ashrafuddin Pirzada
DISTRICT KHYBER: The situation gradually coming to normalcy in Landikotal and elsewhere in district Khyber after the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran on the second day where Pakistan Tehreek Islalaht arranged a rally to support Pakistan Army and security agencies on Thursday.
On the first day of Imran Khan’s arrest, various protests erupted in District Khyber, leading to the blocking of the Pak-Afghan highway at Bab-e-Khyber and Charwazgay Chowk. Angry protesters also set fire to tyres on the road and chanted slogans against the detention of the PTI chairman and former prime minister. They believed that the police and rangers had illegally arrested Imran Khan, and demanded his immediate release.
PTI supporters at Charwazgay Chowk in Landikotal overturned an anti-narcotics force vehicle during the protests. Some demonstrators also attempted to enter the Pak Army garrison in Landikotal but were stopped at the main gate.
Reports indicate that the protesters damaged CCTV cameras and other equipment installed at the entrance checkpost of the Landikotal Army garrison. The situation was tense, with security forces on high alert to prevent any escalation of violence. However, with the passage of time, the protests gradually subsided, and the security situation in the area improved.
on the other hand, a PTI youth identified as Bilal Khan Shinwari, was laid to rest in Khugakhel village in Landikotal. He was killed in Peshawar Police-PTI clashes the other day. Thousands of PTI supporters and family members attended the funeral prayer of the deceased. The funeral prayer was offered by PTI leader Allama Muhammad Adnan Qadri, who is the nephew of former federal minister dr, Noorul Haq Qadri.
Pak-Afghan highway remained open on Thursday, while PTI workers and supporters had installed a protesting sit-in camp at the historical Bab-e-Khyber in Jamrud.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek Islahat arranged a rally in support of the Pakistan Army and security agencies. The rally was headed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Taj Muhammad Afridi. A large number of elders, Tehreek-e-Islahat workers and supporters participated in the rally. They were holding Pakistan’s flag and chanted slogans in favour of Pakistan’s security forces. The rally marched from Taj Muhammad Afridi resident of Shah Kas in Jamrud and went to Frontier Corps Fort in Shah Kas.
Brigadier Mansoor received the rally at the front gate of FC Fort. KP minister Taj Muhammad Afridi and other party leaders presented flower bouquets to Brigadier Mansoor. Brig, Mansoor thanked Taj Muhammad Afridi and his supporters for their respect and affection for Pakistan Army. He said Pakistan Army and Nation stand side by side and support each other. Brig, Mansoor said Pakistan was a progressive and happy country. He said they believed that Pakistan’s solidarity and integrity were the core obligation of the Pakistan Army.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party workers, leaders and supporters celebrated the release of Imran Khan by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. They warmly welcomed the Supreme Court order and distributed sweets among them. Huge aerial firings were heard in Landikotal when the supreme court declared Imran Khan’s arrest an illegal act.
