In late 1968-69, the area saw a vibrant movement of tenants against the Khans. The movement coalesced around the opposition to the draconian Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR). The activists of the movement joined the PPP, and Humayun Khan’s father Hanif Khan, a close aide of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, soon assumed the leadership role, directing the struggle against the Khans, despite the fact that he had belonged to the same social class.
In the 1970 elections, Hanif Khan won the constituency stretching from Malakand to some of the areas included in what is currently Lower Dir district. When the party formed the government, Bhutto delivered on his promise with the Malakand voters and announced the abolition of FCR in the area at a rally in Batkhela.
Published in Daily Times, July 11th 2018.
