KP govt bans public servants, students from attending PTM’s jirga

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has barred public servants and students from participating in the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM)’s Pashtun Qaumi Jirga, scheduled for October 11.

The provincial government has warned the public servants and the students that legal action will be taken against those who will take part in the upcoming event.

Earlier, the federal government banned the PTM, accusing it of involvement in anti-national activities and deeming it a threat to peace and order. The Ministry of Interior had issued a notification banning PTM under Section 11B of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

Sources told HUM News English that the KP chief secretary has issued a letter to all administrative officers and departments, stating that the federal government has banned the PTM, but the proscribed entity is now organizing a “Jirga” in the province, which is a violation of the law.

The letter instructed the heads of the police, government departments and institutions to inform their subordinates that legal action will be taken against those who would attend or support the PTM’s Jirga, either physically or financially.

The KP chief secretary also urged vice-chancellors and principals of universities and colleges to ensure that their students do not participate in the upcoming event.

They have been asked to inform students about the legal consequences if they take part in this programme.

Meanwhile, the Khyber district deputy commissioner has imposed Section 144, banning all kinds of public gatherings across the district for one month.