MARDAN: Amid rising concerns over lawlessness in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a major peace march in Peshawar on April 20 to protest against the deteriorating security situation in the province. The march will be led by JI Central Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and will be attended by senior party leaders and workers from across the region.
Addressing a press conference at the Mardan Press Club, JI Provincial Ameer Abdul Wasi highlighted the alarming surge in extortion, target killings, kidnappings for ransom, and overall instability in the province. Flanked by District Ameer Ghulam Rasool, Advocate Saeed Akhtar, Ibrahim Buland, Manzoor ul Haq, and Jehanzaib Khan, he said the public is bearing the brunt of the ongoing wave of violence.
“The new wave of terrorism has targeted religious seminaries, scholars, and innocent citizens,” he said. “Instead of turning guns on our own people, efforts must be made to uproot terrorism from its core.”
Abdul Wasi also raised concerns over the recent killing of civilians in Babuzai hills, Katlang, saying the issue was brought up in the provincial assembly but government ministers appeared powerless to act. “Despite holding authority, they are seen merely making appeals,” he said.
He criticized the use of force against citizens and reported humiliation of people at security checkpoints, stating that such practices were widening the gap between the public and security institutions. He demanded relief for residents of operation-hit areas and urged the government to honor its commitments to them.
Commenting on the situation in Gaza, the JI leader condemned Israeli airstrikes that have claimed the lives of children and civilians. He lamented the silence of the Muslim world and called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to hold an emergency session to press for a ceasefire. He also urged the Pakistan government and army to play an active role.
On the economic front, Abdul Wasi criticized the federal government for providing expensive electricity to the province despite Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being a major producer of cheap power. He claimed the center owes the province outstanding payments in this regard and demanded immediate settlement. He also credited JI’s persistent struggle for the recent reduction in electricity tariffs and called for further price cuts.
Reaffirming JI’s commitment to peace, Abdul Wasi urged party workers and the general public to join the April 20 peace march at Haji Camp, Peshawar. He said Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its efforts to restore peace and stability in the province.
