Pakistani Official Sacked After Polishing Shoes In India

Islamabad: Mohammad Khursheed Khan, a deputy attorney general in Peshawar, who aimed at creating inter-faith harmony by polishing shoes of worshippers at different temples and gurdwaras in India and Pakistan, has been removed from office.

Khan was sacked by the federal government Wednesday, and another lawyer named Farooq Shah appointed in his place, the Dawn reported Thursday.

Currently on a visit to Nepal, Khursheed told reporters in Pakistan by telephone from Kathmandu that some elements were trying to dislodge him from his post due to certain reasons, but that he would spill the beans only after returning to Pakistan.

Apart from Khan, there were two deputy attorneys general in Peshawar, who represent the federal government in the high court.

Advocates Ijaz Khan and Jabbar Khan Khattak were appointed deputy attorneys general for Peshawar and Bannu.

Dawn said Khursheed Khan was known for his unusual acts. Before the 2002 general elections, he had fired at his hand as a mark of protest.

He was a candidate of the Pakistan Peoples Party, and was reportedly under pressure from his own party to withdraw in favour of a candidate of the Awami National Party.

In 2007, he sprayed black paint on the face of advocate Ahmad Raza Kasuri at the entrance of the Supreme Court, Dawn said.

In 2010, he started community service at gurdwaras in Peshawar as a mark of solidarity with the Sikh community after one of its members was killed by militants.

Khan later visited India with a delegation of the Supreme Court Bar Association and offered community service at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

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