KHYBER: A protest sit-in continued in Landi Kotal against the alleged abduction of prominent trader and local elder Zarif Shinwari, also known as Lunday Haji, with protesters blocking the Pak-Afghan Highway at the Charwazai point.

The protesters shut the highway to all traffic as part of their demonstration, demanding the immediate and safe recovery of the abducted trader.

A large number of tribal elders, political leaders and local residents participated in the sit-in and expressed serious concern and anger over the alleged abduction.

Addressing the protesters, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) General Secretary Maulana Azim Shah, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Hameesh Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Abdul Razzaq Shinwari, Awami National Party’s Abdul Jabbar Afridi and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdul Rauf Shinwari, among others, condemned the incident.

The speakers said Zarif Shinwari was a well-known trader and respected tribal elder, describing his alleged abduction in broad daylight as a highly alarming and unacceptable incident.

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They questioned how a respected citizen could allegedly be abducted despite the presence of police, security forces and other law-enforcement agencies in the area, saying the incident raised serious questions about the security situation and the performance of relevant institutions.

The protesters said the alleged abduction of a trader and tribal elder from Landi Kotal, a sensitive but relatively peaceful area, was a matter of grave concern for the local population.

They called on the relevant authorities to take immediate action, ensure the safe recovery of Zarif Shinwari and bring those responsible for the incident to justice.

The protesters warned that the sit-in would continue until the safe recovery of the trader. They also said the scope of the protest could be expanded if their demands were not met.