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

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.

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against the transfer of seven Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police officials to other districts and demanded that the orders be withdrawn.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.