MINGORA, Dec 5: The people of Malakand division have formed various committees to organize a public movement for the release of TNSM chief and activists languishing in the district jail.

The organizations, formed under different names, would be called “Tanzim Nijat Afghan Mujahideen” in Dir and would launch a movement for the expulsion of Afghan refugees settled in the area, while at the division level it would be called “Muslim, Pakhtoon Bachao Tehrik” movement for the protection of the Pakhtoon Muslims.

The workers of the Tehrik Nifaz Shariah Muhammadi (TNSM), Malakand division, have also become active for the release of activists and TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad.

A meeting of the TNSM was held in Timergara on Tuesday which was attended by the members of its central executive committee (shura). The meeting was presided over by Maulana Hamidullah. The meeting expressed its reservations about the imprisonment of Maulana Sufi Mohammad and called for his early release.

Talking to this correspondent, a leader of the TNSM said that the meeting finalized a comprehensive programme for the release of TNSM chief and workers.

He said the meeting condemned the administration action of arresting Sufi Mohammad and was of the view that the step had been taken to only please the United States and its allies.

He said: “We did not like launching a movement for the release of the TNSM’s amir, as the release of the war prisoners in Afghanistan was our top priority, but this task cannot be accomplished unless Sufi Mohammad is released.”

“The Afghan refugees have established their business in almost all the cities and towns and are unlikely to leave for their country even after peace was returned to their homeland. The people of Pakistan had offered them assistance when they were in need of help, but with the imprisonment of Pakistani Mujahideen in Afghanistan the understanding could not be maintained any longer,” opined a Pakhtoon leader Mohammad Amin, when asked to comment about the ongoing situation.

On the other hand, the Afghan refugees have also started holding their meetings and were trying to resolve issues with the local people. A meeting of the Afghan refugees was held with Maulana Sher Ahmad in the chair at a mosque in the Qamber village. Maulana Sher Ahmad is said to be maternal uncle of the slain leader of Northern Alliance, Ahmad Shah Masood.

It was learnt that the meeting was attended by the leaders of the refugees living in different camps in the division.

They have reportedly decided their future line of action in case of any action taken by the local people against them.