Pakistan: Thousands rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for peace

Thousands of people poured onto the roads for the third day in different towns of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, condemning the brutal attack on a mosque in Peshawar late last month and the resurgence of militancy.

The peace rallies were held in Mohmand, Malakand, Lakki Marwat, and other areas under the slogan of Ulasi Pasoon (public uprising), reports Dawn news.

Prominent leaders, who participated in the Mohmand rally, included among others Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen and Awami National Party provincial general secretary Sardar Hussain Babak.

The peace marchers were mostly youngsters, who were holding white flags, placards, and banners, demanding of the government to eliminate the militancy and ensure sustainable peace, Dawn reported.

A huge contingent of police was deployed to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion.

Addressing the rally, PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen said militancy and the worsening law and order situation had affected every segment of society, including children, women, senior citizens, and tribal elders.

"Workers of every political party have sacrificed their lives during the war imposed on the Pakhtun region," he said.

He said Pakhtuns were divided under a conspiracy and urged them to show unity in the larger interest of their community, Dawn reported.

"Only in Momand Gat area of the Mohmand tribal district at least three dozen people have been killed," he said.

The PTM leader urged elders, Maliks, and religious scholars to show unity in raising their voices for the recovery of the missing persons. (KB/IANS)