- Probe demanded to penalise anti-state actors as condemnations pour in
A video circulating on social media containing malicious content against the Pakistan army has triggered protests across the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) over the past two weeks.
The footage filmed either in South or North Waziristan shows an army official attired in Waziristani women traditional dress being forced by two personnel in Pak army uniform to dance.
Condemnations over the video poured in on social media, with most of the people holding the belief that it is the handiwork of anti-social elements who are out to defame the Pakistan army.
In this respect, Member National Assembly (MNA) Maulana Jamaluddin, parliamentary leader Shah Jee Gul Afridi, hundreds of tribesmen and tribal students from the Quaid-e-Azam University, International Islamic University and Arid Agricultural University held a protest here on Thursday, vehemently denouncing what they called “direct onslaught on tribal culture”.
Addressing the charged demonstrators, Shah Jee Gul Afridi said that the issue sent shock waves throughout the tribal belt. “I demand Army Chief General Raheel Sharif and the Peshawar Corps Commander to order a probe and award exemplary punishment to the wrongdoers,” he added.
Afridi said the Pak army, under the leadership of General Raheel, gained a remarkable achievement in the war on terror which was acknowledged the world over. He also said that the role and support of the local tribal people could not be negated to purge the area of militants. “The issue must be investigated forthwith, because any delay in probing the matter will strengthen the hands of anti-state elements,” Afridi added.
Airing similar reservations, MNA Maulana Jamaluddin from South Waziristan Agency said that tribal people were shocked to learn about the shameful video. “People of FATA have rendered matchless sacrifices in the war on terror, but the emergence of this video has really shocked the entire tribesmen,” he said.
The MNA said he did not believe that army personnel were involved in filming of the video, and demanded the ISPR issue a condemnation and order a probe into the incident without any further delay.
“I think some anti-social elements filmed the video to defame the Pak army,” the MNA remarked.
Talking to Pakistan Today, FATA Research Centre head Saifullah Khan Mehsood said the issue was sensitive in nature and needed to be investigated thoroughly. “It is high time the issue is investigated thoroughly so as to identify the perpetrators and award them exemplary punishment,” he added.
