Though the overall situation remained peaceful in Peshawar and several other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the eve of by-elections on eight national and provincial assembly seats on Thursday, women voters were deprived of their just democratic right to vote in certain parts of the province.
Before commencing of polling in PK-42 Hangu, the personnel of law enforcement agencies foiled an attempt of terrorism while netting out 12 suspects. The police officials said a huge quantity of hand grenades, explosives and weapons was recovered from the custody of arrested persons.
The official said the arrested persons were attempting to attack voters and personnel of law enforcing agencies in various parts of Hangu.
On the other hand, no untoward incident occurred in any part of Peshawar, Nowshehra, Mardan, Swabi, Bannu and Lakki Marwat where by-polls were held on Thursday.
However, in some polling stations, workers of various political forces and supporters of candidates remained engaged in exchange of hard words and skirmishes throughout the day.
At Sheikhabad, Peshawar, activists of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and opposition Awami National Party engaged in skirmishes, which caused halting of polling a couple of times on several polling stations.
Later in the afternoon, police resorted on minor baton charges and succeeded in bringing the situation under control. Similar was the situation in Wazirbagh area.
In Peshawar, women were allowed to participate in the election process, but presence of armed activists of Muttahida Deeni Mahaz and ANP harassed the voters. Women in various villages, hamlets and towns of Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Hangu, Mardan and Nowshehra were deprived of their right in the wake of an agreement among the elders. The elders made the agreement without consulting candidates or taking leaders of their respective political forces into confidence.
Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Justice Dost Mohammad Khan took prompt notice of the agreement and directed returning and presiding officers of fulfilling their responsibilities.
Though ANP Central Vice President Senator Haji Mohammad Adeel threatened action against those party men who become part of the agreement, leaders of remaining political forces, including Chief Minister Pervez Khattak remained silent.
In the native district of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, thousands of women were not allowed to cast votes.
