ISLAMABAD: The funeral prayers for Maulana Khan Zeb, a senior leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) and Secretary for Religious Affairs, were held in his hometown of Nawagai on Friday, a day after he was tragically shot and killed.
Thousands of mourners, including local residents, political workers, and tribal elders, gathered to pay their respects. Among the prominent attendees were ANP’s provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain, senior leader Sardar Hussain Babak, and MNAs from Bajaur—Nisar Baz, Dr. Hameed, and Anwar Zeb Khan.
Maulana Khan Zeb was laid to rest in his native village amid emotional scenes, as friends, colleagues, and supporters bid farewell with tearful tributes.
Earlier in the day, funeral rites were also held for police constable Sherzada, who lost his life in the same targeted attack. His service drew a large crowd as well, reflecting the public’s grief and solidarity.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the killing in a strongly worded statement, describing Maulana Khan Zeb as “a leading peace campaigner and political leader of the ANP.”
“We demand a swift and impartial inquiry into this tragic incident,” the HRCP said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The commission urged both federal and provincial governments to restore peace and stability in the violence-affected districts, stating, “People who have suffered for decades deserve to live without fear and in peace.”
The killings have reignited concerns about security in the region, especially for political and civil society figures working for peace and reconciliation.
