PESHAWAR: Of anger and despair: Political, civil rights leaders demand operation against militants

Members of the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and civil society on Monday protested against the attack on Qissa Khwani Bazaar a day earlier. Addressing protesters at Peshawar Press Club, former provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said Peshawar was slipping out of the government’s hands because of its policies. “Militants are present in every nook and cranny of the city and there is an urgent need to launch a targeted operation to rid the city of them,” said Hussain. According to him, during the initial three months of the incumbent provincial government’s rule, all check posts along exit and entry points of the city were removed. “It is high time law enforcement agencies launch an operation and seal the provincial capital’s borders,” he insisted. Discussing the federal government’s proposed peace talks with the Taliban, Hussain said there should be no dialogue with militants until they accept the writ of the state. PkMAP Provincial General Secretary Arbab Mujeebur Rehman in his address said: “If our government is not serious about bringing peace to Pukhtun areas, we would have no option but to request the international community for it.” He added the state was failing in protecting the lives of innocent people. Rehman criticised the provincial government for its pre-election slogans of change and durable peace. “What kind of rule is this, where mosques, churches and even markets have turned into graveyards?” he questioned. “All those responsible should be made answerable to the public,” added Rehman. Bacha Khan Trust Education Foundation Director Dr Khadim Hussain also spoke at the occasion. “People are being killed mercilessly in the streets while the government remains indecisive about taking steps to stop the assaults,” said Dr Khadim, adding the government was giving a different context to the attacks instead of searching for ways to end the mayhem. All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement Chairperson Haroon Sarbdyal said people need to wake up and realise who the common enemy is. The protesters held placards which read ‘Stop the genocide of Pukhtuns’ and ‘End terrorism, we want peace in our land’. They also chanted slogans against those responsible for such brutal attacks. At least 42 people were killed while 91 were injured when a car packed with explosives blew up inside the bazaar. This was the third such attack in Peshawar in a span of eight days.