Waziristan police stations locked

Police in Lower South Waziristan locked up all the police stations in the district in protest against alleged interference by the Frontier Corps (FC).

Local residents told The Express Tribune that police had locked at least seven police stations and posts including Azam Warsak, Shakai, Wana City, Speen and others after accusing the FC of unnecessary interference in day-to-day policing which they said was hindering their operation.

“Whenever we register First Information Reports (FIRs) or arrest any accused, we are forced by FC to drop them and release the arrested people,” the police said, adding that FC personnel had also objected to checkpoints that they had established in different areas which was affecting their work.

“The district’s police force has been provided with a few official vehicles but, whenever the police use non-custom paid vehicles, FC often confiscates them without providing a solid reason,” said a police official on the condition of anonymity.

Police said all the police stations and police posts would remain locked until the alleged interference is stopped completely.

“Police will continue its protest until it is allowed by the FC to do its work independently without any interference,” he added.

The police also accused the FC of forcing them to register unnecessary FIRs against innocent people.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2024.