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Dera Ismail Khan , Jul 08 (APP):Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leaders on Tuesday strongly condemned the arrest of PPP District President Dera Ismail Khan, Malik Farhan Afzal Dhap, and criticized the provincial government for launching a politically motivated operation under the pretext of anti-encroachment measures.
Addressing a joint press conference at Dhap House, Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Sardar Fateh Ullah Khan Miankhel, Parliamentary Leader of PPP in the KP Assembly Ahmad Karim Khan Kundi, MPA Ihsan Ullah Khan Meenakhel, and Divisional President PPP and President District Bar Dera Sardar Qaizar Khan Miankhel voiced grave concern over the targeting of poor communities in the district.
The leaders said that the state is responsible for protecting citizens’ rights, yet thousands of youth in the province remain unemployed. They said Farhan Dhap’s arrest is unfair and accused the provincial government of using the Swat incident as an excuse to distract the public and target the already marginalized population of Dera Ismail Khan.
“The PPP has always supported the people and worked for the rights of workers and the poor,” they said. “The PTI government, which has ruled KP for the past 13 years, has failed to provide jobs and is now taking away people’s current sources of income.”
They stated that Farhan Afzal Dhap was secretly shifted from Cantonment Police Station to another district during the night without following any legal process, calling it a serious breach of basic rights. They also said that targeting the legal businesses and properties of poor citizens in this way is something never seen before in the history of Dera Ismail Khan.
The leaders vowed to raise the issue at all forums, including provincial and national assemblies. They held the provincial government accountable for its alleged failure in Swat and said it is now attempting to hide its incompetence by launching harsh operations against the poor.
The PPP representatives further announced that the People’s Lawyers Forum and PPP legal teams would contest the case for Farhan Dhap’s release and for restitution of damaged properties. “We will continue to fight for justice and ensure the rights of our people are upheld,” they said.
They also criticized the KP government for neglecting basic needs in southern regions like Damaan, where clean drinking water remains unavailable. They demanded that the government prioritize essential services including water, education, healthcare, and employment.
Calling for compensation for the affected families, they urged the district administration to resolve land disputes through negotiation based on official revenue records rather than forceful action.
A large number of PPP office bearers and workers were present on the occasion, including People’s Lawyers Forum representatives Sardar Hashmat Nawaz Sadozai, Adnan Khan Sadozai, Abid Awan, Akhunzada Sakhi Marjan, Chaudhry Khalid, and Sardar Jami Khan Sadozai.