Police Peace Committee protests in Bannu, Lakki Marwat over alleged disappearance of member

Members of the Police Peace Committee on Friday launched protests in Bannu and Lakki Marwat over the alleged disappearance of a member of the Lakki Marwat Police Peace Committee from Peshawar, bringing routine policing in Bannu to a near standstill.

Committee personnel abandoned their duties across Bannu city, while traffic police also joined the protest. The boycott disrupted traffic flow and routine policing activities in the city.

The protesters forced banks operating in Bannu city to close, causing difficulties for citizens. A large number of committee members gathered at Bannu Police Lines, where the protest continued.

The committee also announced the closure of all government offices, raising concerns that administrative activities across the district could be affected.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Police Peace Committee President Hazratullah said the committee’s primary objective since its formation had been to establish peace in the area. He said the committee would hold peaceful protests if any officer or institution posed an obstacle to peace.

Hazratullah said the latest protest was against the alleged abduction of a Lakki Marwat Peace Committee member from Peshawar. He said their colleagues were sometimes transferred and at other times allegedly picked up, but the committee would continue to confront “every such conspiracy”.

Read: Bannu police protest over transfer of seven K-P officials, boycott duties

He clarified that the protest was not directed against any police officer or institution but was aimed at promoting peace. He said committee personnel had taken to the streets for the restoration of peace, adding that police officers, the Pakistan Army and other institutions all wanted peace.

“We are not against any officer. We are part of the police force and want peace. We are against terrorists and want to turn the slogan of peace into reality in the area,” he added.

The development came a day after protesters had blocked a major road in the district as part of their protest. The road was reopened after successful negotiations with District Police Officer (DPO) Lakki Marwat on Thursday.

According to participants in the talks, the DPO had sought time until 7am on Friday to take a decision on the registration of an FIR against those responsible for the issues raised by the protesters. The protesters agreed to reopen the road after being assured that an FIR would be registered within the given timeframe.

Meanwhile, a large number of local elders, members of the local community, political workers and other representatives arrived at the Police Lines on Friday to express solidarity with the protesting police personnel and to press for implementation of the agreement reached with the DPO.

Read More: Police constable martyred, another injured in Lakki Marwat attack

The participants said they were waiting for the commitments made during Thursday's negotiations to be fulfilled. They maintained that further action would be decided after reviewing the progress on their demands.

Meanwhile, Police Peace Committee leaders criticised opposition to the committee by certain political parties, saying efforts to establish peace should not be resisted.

The latest protest was the second involving Police Peace Committee personnel in Bannu and neighbouring districts within a week. On August 25, committee members protested against the transfer of seven Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police officials to other districts and demanded that the orders be withdrawn.

That protest also involved a boycott of duties, disrupting policing and traffic in parts of Bannu and Lakki Marwat.

The protesters said the transfers were creating difficulties for the affected personnel and their families and warned that the protest could be expanded if their concerns were not addressed. Police authorities had not issued an official statement on the protest at the time.