BANNU: A peace jirga here on Thursday demanded restoration of peace, reopening of roads and resolution of public grievances and warned if the demands weren’t met, a protest sit-in could be staged in Islamabad or Peshawar.

The jirga extended its full support to the police peace committee but expressed serious concerns over the alleged detention of citizens by security personnel in plain clothes and desecration of dead bodies.

The jirga was held at the Darul Uloom Islamia seminary, with Malik Dilnawaz Khan, a representative of Bannu’s residents in Islamabad, in the chair.

The participants included former Senator Prof Ibrahim Khan, MNA Maulana Syed Naseem Ali Shah, former mayors Irfan Durrani and Junaid Rashid, elders Dr Pir Sahib Zaman, Malik Raza Khan, Malik Nek Daraz Khan, Nisar Khan, Sahibzada Idrees Khan and Mureed Hayat, Traders Association president Gul Pir, as well as a large number of tribal elders, religious scholars, and representatives of various segments of society from across the district.

Threatens sit-in in Islamabad or Peshawar

The participants unanimously adopted resolutions, calling on the federal and provincial governments to ensure lasting peace in the district and resolution of public issues.

They announced their complete support for all lawful measures taken by the police and other relevant institutions to establish peace and stability in Bannu.

While condemning terrorism in all its forms and describing it as the greatest obstacle to peace and development, the jirga voiced reservations about the alleged detention of people by plain-clothesmen.

It stressed that the police should perform their duties strictly within the framework of the law and the Police Act, 2017, emphasising that the people will not take up arms.

The jirga urged the provincial government to provide the Bannu police with all necessary resources, powers and facilities to maintain peace in the district.

It declared that the people and elders of Bannu stood shoulder to shoulder with the government and law-enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism.

The jirga paid tribute to law-enforcement personnel and civilians who lost their lives in recent incidents of violence and demanded a special compensation package for their families.

It also called for the immediate reopening of major highways and roads connecting different areas of Bannu to ease public movement and reduce hardships faced by residents.

The jirga demanded a review of FIRs and cases registered against Bannu elders following the July 19, 2024, peace march and sought the immediate release of all “innocent individuals”, including Abdul Samad Khan.

It demanded the reopening of the blocked Juma Khan Road, Kot Adil Road, Amandi Road and other arteries, along with markets and business centres.

The jirga called for speedy work on development projects across the district.

The elders announced that they would seek meetings with the corps commander and the chief secretary to pursue the implementation of their demands.

They also warned that if the issues remain unresolved, a sit-in protest could be staged in Islamabad or Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026