PESHAWAR: Thousands of citizens in various towns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took to the streets against the recent terror attack in Peshawar and the resurgence of terrorism in the province.
The peace rallies that were held in Mohmand, Malakand, Lakki Marwat, and other areas of the province were attended by Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen and Awami National Party provincial general secretary Sardar Hussain Babak among other prominent leaders.
Manzoor Pashteen also tweeted that they will not accept any more wars and colonial policies in the region.
In BayanKhel ground with our Safi and Momand Pashtuns, against Dollari Wars, Bomb blasts, Unknowns, Target killings , Enforced disappearances, terrorism and its policies.
Note; We will not accept your dollari wars and colonial policies. pic.twitter.com/FCmitCONKd— Manzoor Pashteen (@ManzoorPashteen) February 5, 2023
Meanwhile, Khushal Khan Khattak, a member of the National Democratic Movement, also tweeted that “our people will not allow the imposition of terrorists in our areas”.
Thousands of Pashtuns came out in Peshawar today against terrorism. Our people will not allow the imposition of Taliban terrorists in our areas. @mjdawar Chairman @NDM_Official at the Peshawar Ulasi Pasoon. We stand with our people.#پيښور_اولسی_پاڅون pic.twitter.com/D7yZSs8nHm
— Khushal Khan (@Khushal_Khattak) February 4, 2023
The Peshawar blast claimed the lives of more than 60 people, mostly policemen as a suicide bomber targeted a mosque inside a police compound. Banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for one of the deadliest blasts in the city.
Pakistan is witnessing a resurgence in terrorism. Last month a police station in Peshawar was also targeted, resulting in three deaths. Meanwhile, the day after the deadly Peshawar attack, Punjab police thwarted an attack on a police station in Mianwali.
نعرہ تکبیر کی صدا بلند کرتے پنجاب پولیس کے بہادر جوانوں نے میانوالی کے تھانہ پر دہشت گردوں کا حملہ ناکام بنا دیا۔ حملہ آور دہشت گرد پولیس جوانوں کی جوابی فائرنگ سے پسپا ہوکر بھاگنے پر مجبور ہوگئے۔@DPOMianwali #PunjabPolice #Mianwali #Gallantry pic.twitter.com/LLXLgz5pHR
— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) February 1, 2023
Locals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been protesting against the resurgence of terrorism throughout the province since last year.
The security situation in the province, bordering Afghanistan, deteriorated rapidly after the peace negotiations between the government and the Taliban failed last year in November.
Political analysts warned about the rise of terrorism in Pakistan after the Taliban took over the government in Afghanistan in August 2020.
Last year, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif blamed Imran Khan’s policies for the resurgence. During a parliamentary session, he had said that the Imran Khan-led provincial government had welcomed members of the banned outfit as part of a rehabilitation plan.
