By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: A protest sit-in against the alleged abduction of prominent trader and elderly tribal elder Muhammad Zareef Shinwari alias Landay Haji entered its second day in Landikotal on Saturday, with protesters blocking the Pak-Afghan Highway at Charwazgai Chowk and demanding his immediate and safe recovery.
A large protest camp has been established at Charwazgai, where black flags were hoisted as a mark of protest. The trader community also observed a shutter-down strike in Landikotal bazaar, bringing business activities to a standstill.
Zareef Shinwari was allegedly picked up by armed men in Landikotal the other day. His alleged disappearance has triggered concern among traders, tribal elders, political parties and residents of the area.
A large number of tribal elders, political leaders, civil society members and local residents attended the sit-in and expressed solidarity with the family and protesters. They demanded that Zareef Shinwari be recovered safely and those responsible for his alleged abduction be brought to justice.
Addressing the protest, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) general secretary Maulana Azeem Shah, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Hamesh Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Abdul Razzaq Shinwari, Awami National Party’s Abdul Jabbar Afridi and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Rauf Shinwari questioned how a prominent trader and tribal elder could allegedly be abducted in broad daylight despite the presence of police, security forces and other law-enforcement agencies in the sensitive border district.
The speakers demanded that the authorities clarify who allegedly abducted Zareef Shinwari, where he was taken and what steps had so far been taken for his recovery.
They said the recovery of an abducted citizen was the responsibility of the state and not merely that of his family or tribe. They urged police and security agencies to immediately trace Zareef Shinwari, ensure his safe recovery and arrest those involved in the alleged abduction.
Former tehsil chairman Shah Khalid Shinwari also claimed that Muhammad Zareef alias Haji Landay had been picked up by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The allegation, however, has not been independently verified.
Protesters said the alleged abduction of a well-known trader and tribal elder in Landikotal had raised serious questions about law and order and the safety of citizens. They warned that the protest would continue until Zareef Shinwari was safely recovered and said its scope could be expanded if their demands were not met.
The closure of the Pak-Afghan Highway has disrupted traffic on both sides, causing difficulties for passengers, transporters and other road users.
The incident has also revived concerns over the security situation in Landikotal, a key town along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where traders and residents have repeatedly called for greater protection of citizens and businesses.
