Janni Khel tribesmen warn of march on Peshawar

Janni Khel Wazir tribesmen of Bannu district have once again warned of protest and march on Chief Minister House if their demands are not accepted.

A large protest of the tribesmen was held at Mandi, Janni Khel. Addressing on this occasion Dr Noor Muhammad and Muhammad Wali blamed that the CM has promised them that all FIRs against the leaders and participants of Janni Khel sit-in will be withdrawn and a development package will be announced for the area. They claimed that the CM had promised them that all missing persons will also be released but despite the passage of several months there was no sign of the development package.

“The CM had assured that all our acceptable demands will be fulfilled but we are not allowed to approach the CM and the district administration is not willing to cooperate with us,” they said.

The speakers blamed that CM had promised them Rs2 billion development package but local residents had completely been ignored as stake holders and the promise of 500 jobs for the tribal youth is yet to materialize.

“We had been promised that there would be 200 jobs for Janni Khels, 200 for Bakka Khels and 100 for Momand Khels,” they claimed, adding that there was a lawlessness in the area too.

“We demand the withdrawal of all FIRs, release of missing persons and action against those who are creating law and order situation,” they demanded.

Speakers blamed that the development package was being discussed behind the close doors which is completely unacceptable to them because these matters should be discussed with them.

They warned that the tribesmen would march on the CM house if the promises are not fulfilled soon.

“A long march on Peshawar will be announced and it would end outside the CM house in Peshawar,” they maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2021.