Bannu: (Abdus salam Baitab) Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and senior leader of the Bannu Peace Jirga, Professor Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, has termed the recent incident in Sukari Hassan Khel as deeply tragic and alarming, stating that the writ of the government appears absent in several parts of the province, including Bannu.
Speaking to media persons after a jirga of local elders at the Bannu Press Club, Professor Ibrahim condemned the abduction of police personnel from a mosque and the subsequent killing of two officials, while another was reportedly taken away. He described the incident as highly condemnable and said the people of Bannu were living in a state of fear due to road blockades, target killings, kidnappings and growing lawlessness.
He announced that a National Peace Jirga would be convened on March 5 at the Jamaat-e-Islami office outside Huwed Gate to deliberate on the deteriorating law and order situation. Leaders of political parties, lawyers, religious scholars and representatives from various schools of thought have been invited to attend.
The jirga demanded the immediate release of Abdul Samad Khan, also known as Lala, alleging that he had been arrested in fabricated cases. Professor Ibrahim said it did not befit the state to detain innocent citizens on false charges and called for withdrawal of all cases against him.
Participants also called for the safe recovery of Irshad Khan, a resident of Kaki, who was abducted several months ago and whose whereabouts remain unknown.
The jirga urged authorities to reopen all major roads in Bannu, including Miranshah Road, Kot Amandi Road, Kot Adil Road, Kot Barrah Road and Juma Khan Road, before March 5. It further demanded removal of checkpoints on Miranshah Road. The elders warned that if these demands were not met before the scheduled jirga, a future course of action would be announced.
Expressing concern over reports of police action following the Sukari Hassan Khel incident, the jirga alleged that house raids and arrests were causing harassment among local residents. It called upon the district administration to avoid unnecessary action and to consult local elders before undertaking operations.
The jirga also voiced reservations regarding the conduct of the Counter Terrorism Department, alleging extrajudicial measures and unlawful detentions. It claimed that innocent citizens were being detained and pressured for money, and demanded that all state institutions ensure that no excesses are committed, as ordinary people were suffering amid the prevailing security situation.
