President National Party Senator Hasil Khan Bizenjo Monday demanded a safe recovery of Idrees Khattak, the party's provincial general secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who went 'disappeared' on November 13, 2019 from Swabi Interchange.

Speaking at a press conference, Bizenjo alleged that Khattak was 'abducted' from Swabi Interchange on November 13 on his way from Akora Khattak to Swabi along with his driver who was later freed.

He said that Khattak is not only the party's provincial general secretary, but also a human rights activist as well as a 'responsible' political activist. "I am unable to understand the reason behind his forced abduction and police are also refusing to lodge an FIR (first information report) of the incident," he maintained, adding that Khattak is a diabetes patient and he should be provided his medicines.

He urged the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Peshawar High Court to take notice of the incident and ensure his party's leader safe return in light of the petition submitted by the National Party to the court.

"The people in plain clothes came and pick Idress Khattak up. Whoever institution has picked him up is violating the country's Constitution. It has become a routine matter that political activists are being picked up like criminals," Bizenjo further maintained.

Responding to a question, he said that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Mualana Fazlur Rehman has convened all parties' conference today (Tuesday) and the opposition political parties should show more unity this time.

"It was very unfortunate that other opposition political parties did not support Maulana in his 'Azadi march' the way they should have been," he said, adding that fresh election in the country will be 'useless' unless electoral reforms are made.

Responding to another query, Bizenjo said that he was not aware of any 'deal' or some 'assurance' given to the JUI-F chief in return of winding up his Azadi march.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019