Although election campaign has not been launched in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency
, yet Lashkar-e-Islam, a myrmidon group, has threatened to target all those people, who try to take part in the elections."The government is not sincere in holding peace talks with our group. As long as there is no clear cut response from the government side, we will not allow anyone to take part in the elections," said a message sent by Faqir Mohammad, a local commander of Lashkar-e-Islam, to the candidates in Bara. He also advised common people of Bara to stay away from election rallies.
Awami National Party candidate Imran Afridi told Dawn that it was not possible to hold elections in Bara as most of its parts were still inaccessible.
Besides, he said, fresh displacement of people from Tirah valley made it difficult for the candidates to run a smooth and peaceful election campaign.
"As most of the newly displaced families from Tirah are terrorised, how it will be possible for a candidate to ask them to come to polling station and vote for him," Mr Afridi said.
He said that his conscience didn't permit him to be so self-centered. "Heavens will not fall if elections are postponed in Bara for a few months till the situation improves and displace people are rehabilitated with honour," he said.