BANNU: A strong reaction has emerged from the Police Peace Committee and police personnel following the transfer of seven Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police constables to other districts.

On Tuesday, the Police Peace Committee president Hazratullah called on the personnel to register their protest at police lines and boycott their duties, resulting in disruptions to police services and the traffic system in several areas.

According to transfer orders issued by the Central Police Office, Peshawar, on the directives of the AIG Establishment, seven police personnel have been transferred with immediate effect.

Head constable Nisar Ali (535) has been transferred from Police Lines Lower Dir to PTS Swat, constable Ghulam Abbas Khan from Elite Force Peshawar to Haripur, constable Muhammad Arif from Elite Force Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan and constable Shafiullah from Investigation Bannu to Swat.

Constable Muhammad Atif Khan has been transferred from Elite Force Bannu to Upper Chitral, constable Samiullah from Lakki Marwat to CTD Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, while constable Khalid Rahman has been transferred from District Traffic Mobile Lakki Marwat to Shangla.

Police Peace Committee President Hazratullah, who is leading the protest, said that the transfers of his colleagues were in fact an attempt to weaken the Police Peace Committee. However, he said they would not back down from their position under any circumstances.

He said that the protest and boycott of duties would continue until the transfers were cancelled. Hazratullah said that the Police Peace Committee had played a significant role in the fight against terrorists and had achieved considerable success. He added that the transfer of committee members could affect ongoing efforts against terrorism.

Meanwhile, the boycott of duties has reportedly affected police security at important government and sensitive locations in some areas.

The absence of traffic police has also disrupted the flow of traffic on major roads, causing inconvenience to commuters. Increased traffic congestion at several locations has forced citizens to spend significantly more time on journeys that would normally take only a few minutes.

The protesting police personnel have demanded that the recent transfer orders be reviewed and their concerns addressed. They have warned that the scope of the protest could be expanded if their demands are not considered.

However, no official statement has so far been issued by the police authorities regarding the boycott of duties and the ongoing protest.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2026