Arrest of Afghan musicians sparks protest in Peshawar

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The arrest of some Afghan musicians has triggered a protest in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar.

Local artists, rallying against the arrests on Monday, asked the government to allow the Afghan musicians to stay in Pakistan as refugees.

Protesting outside the Peshawar Press Club, the demonstrators raised slogans for the acceptance of their demands.

Opposition leaders in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, including Awami National Party MPA Sardar Hussain Babak and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz member Ikhtiar Wali also joined the protest.

The public representatives promised raising the issues on the floor of the provincial assembly.

A number of Afghan artists said they had fled to Pakistan in search of safety. However, they complained, the Pakistan government had decided to deport them to Afghanistan.

Saeeda and Rashid Khan, local artistes,  slammed police action against the Afghan musicians in the Tehkal locality of Peshawar.

They demanded the immediate release of the Afghan artistes and recovery of their valuables from police.

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