PESHAWAR: Residents of Malakand have placed the body of slain local journalist and social activist Muhammad Zada Agra on road, demanding the government to arrest the killers and provide justice to the bereaved family.
Malakand’s Muttahida Trade Union also suspended all business activities and closed the markets across the Malakand. Earlier, it was announced that the funeral prayer of the deceased would be offered at 11:30 am but later the protesters placed the body on the road till their demands were met.
Muhammadzad a Agra, a local journalist from Sakhakot, was shot dead by unknown persons last night. The victims had a reputation for speaking out against social evils and drug mafia in Malakand division. A video of his speech in the open court of the Deputy Commissioner is also being widely shared on social media. In his speech, he also leveled allegations against the government officials for harboring drug mafia.e.
The protesters said that he was raising voice against drugs, especially the Ice drug dealers in the Malakand division. They said that despite all efforts, he failed to get the government and police support against drug dealers and finally he was targeted.
“He was one the leading voice for the rights of the people of Malakand,” said a famous vlogger from Malakand, Samiullah Khatir. He added that he was brave political activist who raised voice although he knows that he will face its consequences. “Here in Pakistan raising voice against injustice mean that you will be the first target,” Khatir said in his vlog. He said that in this society, it would be difficult to mobilse the youth to play the role of activist and bring a social change in the society.
The protesters urged the government to take effective action against drug mafia and arrest the people behind the murder of social activist.