Pakistani artistes hail release of Afghan musicians

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Peshawar-based artistes, civil society members and human rights campaigners have welcomed the release of Afghan musicians.

Peshawar police had arrested four Afghan musicians from their office in Tehkal neighbourhood on May 28.

The arrests triggered strong but peaceful protests outside the Peshawar Press Club until the release of the Afghan musicians on Friday.

A local court granted bail to the musicians, who had been detained on charges of staying in Pakistan without valid residency documents.

Judicial magistrate Sher Hassan Khan accepted the bail petition of the musicians on condition of furnishing two sureties worth Rs90,000 each.

Identified as Naveedullah, Nadeem Shad, Saeedullah and Ajmal, the musicians had been charged under section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

Advocate Tariq Afghan, appearing on the petitioners’ behalf, said his clients had fled to Pakistan as a result of the precarious situation in the Taliban-ruled country.

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 had also joined the protest.

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