MANSEHRA: A grand jirga, attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, on Tuesday resolved a dispute between the Hazara Electric Supply Company (Hazeco) Workers’ Union and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Abdul Shakoor Khan Lughmani.
“We have settled the issue in the jirga as the office-bearer of the Hazeco workers’ union tendered an unconditional apology for his derogatory remarks against me,” Lughmani told reporters after the jirga here on Tuesday. Deputy commissioner, district police officer and people from different walks of life attended the Jirga.
Police had registered an FIR against PTI leader and former aspirant for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly seat, Abdul Shakoor Khan Lughmani, after residents of various localities blocked the Karakoram Highway and Hazara Expressway against the prolonged poweroutages on July 31.
The derogatory remarks allegedly made by one of the Hazesco office-bearers against Lughmani sparked protests, during which residents blocked the Karakoram Highway and Hazara Expressway at various places on August 1, demanding his suspension and registration of an FIR against him.
The jirga, held at the New Circuit House to defuse tensions and avert a law-and-order situation, stressed an out-of-court settlement in accordance with local culture and traditions.
“My family and I have no personal vendetta against anybody or the Hazeco workers’ union, but the derogatory remarks made by one of its office-bearers not only hurt our sentiments but also those of the people of entire Baffa-Pakhal, prompting them to stage protests,” Lughmani said.
