Pak govt disbands outfits running parallel govt in Khyber Agency

Islamabad, July 7 (ANI): In a bid to bring back normalcy in the Khyber Agency, Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Internal Security, Rehman Malik last evening announced that the three organisations running parallel governments in Khyber Agency have been disbanded in the area.

The three organizations are - the Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) led by Mangal Bagh, Ansar-ul Islam (AI) headed by Mehbubul Haq, and Amar Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Analmunkir (Promotion of virtue and prevention of vice) led by Haji Naamdar, reported the Daily Times.

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Malik comments came as the Khyber Agency political administration lifted the curfew from Bara Bazaar following a request by the jirga.

Malik reportedly told this (disbanding of organizations) to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani while briefing him on the security situation in the Agency and arrangements made to guard a demonstration outside Lal Masjid on Sunday, at Prime Minister's House.

Federal Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi were also present at the meeting.

Malik also told Gilani that the authorities had been directed to ensure potable water for the people gathered at the mosque, and added that he had visited the mosque to monitor the situation.

He said the police were asked to avoid using force against the demonstrators. At least 20 people, including 15 policemen, were killed and dozens injured in a suicide bomb attack outside Aabpara police station. The attack came on the first anniversary of the bloody ending of a siege at Lal masjid.

Gilani told the meeting that the government believed in resolving all issues through dialogue and that force should only be used as a last resort. (ANI)