Daily Times

A ban imposed on Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Mohsin Dawar’s entry in his hometown in North Waziristan by the political administration was set aside by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday.

In a short order issued on Dawar’s appeal against the ban, the PHC set aside the three-month ban imposed by the deputy commissioner. “The impugned order of political agent/district magistrate, North Waziristan Agency regarding expulsion of petitioner from the limits of North Waziristan is set aside,” said the PHC.

The PHC has summoned the authorities to furnish reasons for the ban on the next hearing.

Dawar, a lawyer by profession, is an active member of the PTM. He has submitted nomination papers to contest the upcoming election for a National Assembly seat in the region. Earlier, he chaired the organising committee of the National Youth Organisation – a sub-organisation of the Awami National Party.

The notification issued by the NWA political agent last week had stated, “Mohsin Dawar is acting in a manner prejudicial to public peace and tranquility. He is instigating the people through provocative speeches against the state.”

The court’s decision comes two days after tribal elders and PTM leaders including Dawar held a ‘successful’ meeting in Peshawar, following which the civil rights movement called off its rally on the third day of Eid in Razmak, North Waziristan. A new round of talks will be held on June 22 between the tribal elders and PTM to discuss further concerns.

Published in Daily Times, June 15^th 2018.