ISLAMABAD: Local administration in the tribal region of South Waziristan has prohibited gatherings, political rallies and processions in Wana, the embattled region, amid warning that no public gathering will be held without prior permission of the administration.
The notification quoted by Assistant Political Agent (APA) Kamran Khattak that says, “As per APA Wana order number 1570, all rallies and public gathering in Wana bazaar have been proscribed.” Display notices are labeled to inform citizens to abide by the order of the administration. The move is largely seen as an attempt to impede gathering of Pashtun Tahaffaz Movement (PTM), newly formed alliance who had announced to hold a public gathering at Wana. The notification to ban public rallies has been effective since March 23.
Ali Wazir, a leader of PTM, said that the authorities need to accept their legitimate demands and there would be no public gatherings or protests. “We don’t demand the local administration to withdraw its notification but we call them to accept our legitimate demands protected by the constitution,” he said.
Published in Daily Times, March 29th 2018.