Muhammad Zada Agra
Born1988/1989
Died8 November 2021
Sakhakot, Malakand District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Cause of deathAssassination by gunshot
NationalityPakistani
Occupation(s)Anti-drug activist, blogger
Known forSpeaking out against drug trafficking and crime in Malakand District

Muhammad Zada Agra (Pashto: محمد زاده اګره; 1988/1989 – 8 November 2021)[1] was an anti-drug activist and blogger in Malakand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was shot dead on 8 November 2021 by unknown gunmen in Sakhakot area of Malakand District.[2][3]

According to the FIR, unidentified persons came on a motorcycle and shot at him. He had spoken to the Deputy Commissioner of Malakand district in an Open court a few days ago against the drug mafia in the area.[3]

Protests

People have been protesting on the main road of Sakhakot Malakand since this morning against the assassination of Mohammad Zada and demanding that those responsible for Mohammad Zada's murder be identified and brought to justice.[4][5][6]

Investigation

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advisor Riaz Khan said that the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan had taken notice of the murder of Mohammad Zada Agra and had asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Chief Moazzam Jah Ansari to report it.[3]

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister has ordered the removal of Malakand deputy commissioner Altaf Ahmed and assistant commissioner Fawad Khattak.[7][8]

According to the Malakand administration, a case of murder of Muhammadzada Agra has been registered against unknown persons and according to Commissioner Swat, a joint investigation team has been formed to investigate the murder.[9]

Allegation

He posted on his Facebook account on 12 October. In it, Mohammad Zada had alleged that "Deputy Commissioner Malakand is trying to harass me under the plan and conspiracy of my opponents and political circles." The post further states, "If anything happens to me as a result of this plan and improper implementation of this 'unholy conspiracy', then the entire claim of my family will be on Deputy Commissioner Malakand."[9]

Murders arrest

On 15 November 2021, Deputy Commissioner Malakand Anwar-ul-Haq presented the two accused involved in the murder of Muhammadzada to the media. Weapons and a motorcycle used in the incident were also recovered from the possession of the accused.[10][11][12]

The Deputy Commissioner said that the Muhammadzada murder case was a big challenge and it took a long time to arrest the accused but with the joint efforts of the forensic team and intelligence agencies, their arrest was carried out.[10]

Personal life

Muhammad Zada was known as a political and social activist in Malakand and Sakhakot. As a student, he was the president of the Insaf Students Federation Malakand and a fan of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Even after entering practical life, he remained associated with the PTI, but gained more fame for speaking out against drug trafficking and crime in the area. He not only used social media but also used harsh language against the local administration and drug dealers in public gatherings.[9]

Reactions

The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay[13] and Committee to Protect Journalists have condemned the killing.[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Pakistani blogger murdered for exposing local drug trafficking". RSF. 10 November 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ↑ "محمد زادہ: 'منشیات فروش اور جرائم پیشہ عناصر کے خلاف اٹھنے والی آواز خاموش کر دی گئی'". BBC News اردو.
  3. 1 2 3 "Social activist Muhammad Zada shot dead in Malakand". 9 November 2021.
  4. ↑ "Officials removed after protest over murder of Malakand activist | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
  5. ↑ "Malakand residents protest murder of social activist". 9 November 2021.
  6. ↑ "ملاکنډ کې د سماجي کارکن تر وژلو وروسته د سیمې جګپوړي افسران معطله".
  7. ↑ "Activist's death sparks protest in KP's Malakand, deputy and assistant commissioner suspended". 9 November 2021.
  8. ↑ "DC Malakand, AC removed after murder of rights activist".
  9. 1 2 3 "محمد زادہ: 'منشیات فروش اور جرائم پیشہ عناصر کے خلاف اٹھنے والی آواز خاموش کر دی گئی'". BBC News اردو.
  10. 1 2 "Two men arrested for murdering Malakand social activist | SAMAA". Samaa TV.
  11. ↑ "Murderers of Muhammad Zada Agrawal Arrested: DC Malakand".
  12. ↑ "Two held for Malakand social worker's murder". 16 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "Director-General calls for justice following killing of journalist Muhammad Zada Agra in Pakistan". 22 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "Journalist and activist Muhammad Zada Agra fatally shot in Pakistan". 16 November 2021.
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