PESHAWAR: Major Security concerns have emerged regarding the long march passing through the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Law enforcement agencies working under the provincial government have sent their reports to the provincial government, warning of serious threats to the participants.
According to responsible police sources, the security situation in Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Tank and other southern areas is extremely sensitive at the moment. Police personnel and civilians are being targeted in these areas, and most of the terrorism incidents are occurring in the southern districts.
Sources said there are threats that terrorists could target the long march itself; therefore, strict security arrangements have been directed. However, the police department has officially denied sending any such report, though security concerns in the southern regions remain.
On the other hand, the Federal Government has approved a massive operation against unregistered Afghan refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid fears of their possible participation in the PTI long march.
On the directives of the federal government, a new operation has been launched from October across the province. Under the operation, a crackdown has been started in all major markets of Peshawar.
Yesterday alone, more than 500 Afghan refugees were arrested in a single day from Khyber Bazaar, Namak Mandi, Hospital Road, Sabzi Mandi, Board Bazaar, Plastic Market, Ashraf Road, Ata Market and Chai Market.
Sources said instructions have been issued to take the strictest action against unregistered Afghan refugees who might participate in the PTI long march, while the arrest of Afghans who have made illegal Pakistani ID cards has also been intensified.
The simultaneous development of changing the long march strategy and the federal crackdown on Afghan refugees has created a tense political and security situation in Peshawar.
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