Compensation: Traders from NWA, Bannu warn of protests in Islamabad

BANNU:

Political leaders and businessmen in North Waziristan Agency and Bannu warned of protest outside Islamabad Press Club to demand compensation for losses in the military operations. November 30 has been set as the date for the protest in Islamabad.

This plan was divulged at a protest in front of Bannu Sports Complex.

Maulana Abdul Hai Haqqani of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, Guldaraz of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Anjuman Tajiran President Syed Nek Jehan Shah and other leaders were present on the occasion.

One of the protesters demanded the prime minister and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif help the people and traders from North Waziristan to return to the hometowns quickly. “All basic facilities and infrastructure such as roads, hospitals and schools must be constructed before the return of the natives, otherwise their return would be futile,” said the participant.

In debt

Traders from Bannu and North Waziristan Agency owe money to their business partners in Punjab, Sindh and Afghanistan. However, they  “cannot repay their debts if they remain empty-handed and their business partners remain inaccessible,” he said.

The protesters said Bannu receives only two hours of uninterrupted power. The rest of the day there is load-shedding, protesters complained.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th,  2015.