5th day of curfew in North Waziristan: Hundreds stranded in Bannu

All students of HSSC hailing from North Waziristan could not give their final exams due to the curfew in the agency.

MIRANSHAH: Hundreds of tribesmen are stranded in Bannu due to the ongoing curfew in North Waziristan Agency since the last five days.

All students of Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) hailing from North Waziristan could not give their final exams because of the curfew in the agency.

Jamal Wazir, a 2nd year student of HSSC, said that his chemistry paper was on May 12 in Bannu and despite pleading to the political administration officials to remove the curfew nothing was done about it.

He added that all the tribesmen are restricted to their houses and the security forces shoot people on sight if seen violating the curfew.

Ijaz Ahmad, another student, said that at first they were not given a hall in the agency to solve their papers and were transferred to Bannu district for their exams, but now with the imposition of the curfew they are stranded in their houses and cannot take their exams.

“We could not take two papers due to the curfew and have failed them as a result,” he stated, adding that their entire academic year went to waste.

Muhammad Suleman Khan, who has applied for a commission job in the Pakistan Army, said that he has passed all the initial tests and has received a call from the commission office to appear for the Inter Services Selection Board test in Kohat on Tuesday morning.

But I cannot even come out of my house, Khan remarked.

“Who should I hold responsible for spoiling my career,” he questioned, further stating that he wanted to serve his nation by joining the army but in a situation like this, when he is not even allowed to leave his own house, people will prefer to join the ranks of militants.

“It will not decrease militancy but will instead increase it,” he stated, lashing out at the government policy.

Malik Gul Ajab Khan, a vegetable and fruit trader, said that more than 60 trucks loaded with seasonal fruit and vegetables were parked in North Waziristan and in Bannu but were not being allowed to move, adding that most of the fruits and vegetables were now rotten.

“We have lost millions of rupees. Who is responsible for this loss?” he questioned, demanding an answer.