A father and son's disagreement over which political party's flag to display at their home in Pakistan turned deadly, as the father allegedly shot and killed his son in a fit of anger. The argument erupted when the son, who had recently returned from working in Qatar, raised the flag of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former prime minister Imran Khan, at their residence on the outskirts of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The father objected to his son hoisting the PTI flag at home, but the son refused to remove it, escalating the altercation that ultimately led to the fatal shooting.

The police are currently searching for the father, who had affiliations with the nationalist Awami National Party and had previously displayed their flag. The incident has brought attention to the tensions surrounding the upcoming general elections in Pakistan, which are scheduled for February 8. Elections in the country are often marked by violence, with candidates frequently targeted by Islamist bombings and gun attacks.

In order to ensure security during this crucial time, approximately 5,000 paramilitary Frontier Constabulary (FC) forces will be deployed to the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan. Commander Moazzam Jah Ansari confirmed this deployment, emphasizing the need to maintain peace and stability during the electoral process. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the heightened tensions and potential for violence as the country prepares for the upcoming elections.