In Malakand division, candidates and law enforcers yearn for peace in campaign

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: In the first week of the current month, a political gathering at Dir Stadium in Upper Dir surprised everyone. A political party had gathered around a two-dozen people at the vast Stadium that looked like a dot on the grassless ground. The security arrangements that were put in place to protect the gathering were enormous. The police personnel guarding the entrance and other points outnumbered the participants. A walk-through gate was installed at the entrance and three police vans were deputed. Such huge security arrangements aroused people’s curiosity to see what was happening inside, but a peep only brought them surprise.

Everyone was asking the question as to why so much security was put in place for such a small gathering.

This unprecedented security for a small assembly is reflecting the fear that Taliban militants have planned to unleash violence during election campaign. This fear is more visible in Upper Dir, a district that shares border with Afghanistan and where militants have launched deadly attacks from Afghanistan into the border villages. The authorities are not ready to compromise security, visibly.  

The local administration and security forces have warned that election rallies and politicians could be attacked during election campaign for the May 11 polls. They have planned to take several security measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election. “Political parties cannot hold gatherings outside the specified locations that include Dir Stadium,” said District Police Officer Ihsanullah Khan. “We will ensure that no lapse is committed in security for rallies at the identified places,” he added.  

The threat is, however, not restricted to Upper Dir. An ISI report submitted to the Supreme Court in the last week of March said Taliban militants based in Afghanistan could stage terrorist attacks with help from Afghan government in the border areas of Pakistan—Mohmand Agency, Bajaur Agency, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Swat and Chitral.

“They (Taliban) will not gratuitously knock their heads against the wall,” said a military official, referring to impenetrable troop deployment on the border along Upper Dir. “Threat to election campaign activities and candidates is general. It exists elsewhere in the country and so as in Upper Dir,” he said, requesting anonymity as he did not want his name printed. However, the official said the Maulana Fazlullah-led militants had planned cross-border attacks and Bajaur, Mohmand, Lower Dir and Chitral were relatively vulnerable to such attacks.

The local administration has asked candidates not to hold campaign-related activities at mosques, unspecified locations and on roads. As the militants have announced to target ANP and PPP, the PPP candidate from NA-33 Najmuddin Khan has been under threats, according to the local administration. “More challenges could also crop up, but at the moment these challenges are not visible,” Ihsanullah said. “But let me assure you that we will have the last laugh,” the police officer said.

Some candidates, who were interviewed, however, expressed the confidence that they faced no threat during the election campaign and canvassing continued unhindered. “I don’t see any threat during the election campaign,” said PML-N candidate on PK-91, Muhammad Nisar Wardag. “It’s a peaceful area, and we have the local administration and the army, too,” he added.

Sahibzada Tariqullah, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate from NA-33, has no fears of attack. His party recently held big rallies in Upper Dir. His colleague, Inayatullah, candidate on PK-91, agrees.

However, situation in the neighbouring Swat, a district controlled and ravaged by Taliban from 2007 to 2009, is different. The threat is particularly ferocious against ANP candidates, as Taliban unraveled campaign attacks on ANP candidates in Pakhtunkhwa, including Swat.

Wajid Ali, a party leader in Swat and former provincial minister, said ANP candidates had been unable to run campaign for election. “We face serious security threat during the campaign. We can be attacked with a bomb or sniper. Or can be target killed,” he said. “We cannot run election campaign the way an independent candidate should do,” he added.

The ANP candidates cannot hold rallies or gatherings to woo voters due to the threat. They are relying on meetings with individuals to ask for support in election. “It puts us into a disadvantaged position against other political parties as we cannot convey our message to the electorate while they are freely conducting electioneering,” he said.