Daily Times

Days after a deadly suicide attack at an election meeting of the Awami National Party (ANP), interim Prime Minister Justice (r) Nasir-ul-Mulk and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa reached Peshawar separately on Thursday.

The attack in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) capital on Tuesday claimed the lives of 22 people and injured dozens of others. The bombing in Yakatoot locality of the city also claimed the life of ANP leader Haroon Bilour, who was contesting the upcoming general election from PK-78 constituency of Peshawar.

The interim prime minister accompanied by interim Interior Minister Azam Khan held a meeting with KP Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra where issues of law and order among other matters were discussed. Later, the PM also met the Bilour family at their residence and offered condolences.

After reaching Peshawar, the COAS condoled with the family of the slain ANP leader at his residence. According to army’s media wing, while talking to the family members, the army chief said “[the] Bilour family has stood firm in war against terrorism with great sacrifices during national effort. We have come a long way in our challenging journey to peace and [the] destination isn’t far Insh Allah.”

“We stand united against all proponents of hate and mayhem regardless of their hue and colour,” the statement further quoted the army chief as saying.

Following Tuesday’s attack, the election in the PK-78 constituency was postponed whereas security was beefed up across the country to ensure the July 25 polls are held peacefully and candidates can campaign without fear.

Published in Daily Times, July 13^th 2018.