The sit-in that started on Saturday once morest the recent attack on an army cantonment in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and the call of Aman Pasoun once morest the military operation ‘Azam-e-Staat’ to eliminate militants continues today (Sunday). .
According to journalist Rufan Khan, the Aman Paswan dharna in Bannu started on Saturday, for which a camp was set up at Police Lines Chowk in front of the main road of Bannu Cantonment.
In addition to various political parties, students, representatives and leaders of social and welfare organizations visited the protest camp, while Bannu youths also participated in the sit-in.
Despite the intense heat, people are participating in the dharna in large numbers. Awami National Party Provincial President Mian Iftikhar Hussain came to the camp along with his party leaders, while Lucky Marwat leaders also made a special appearance.
In view of the security situation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has called for police personnel from other districts of the province, while the roads leading to Bannu cantonment have been blocked by placing containers.
Markets in Bannu city and surrounding areas are open during the dharna, but the rush is much less than usual.
Negotiating Committee
The sit-in participants unanimously decided to form a 30-member committee, which would have the power to negotiate with the government or not.
This committee consists of two members of the National Assembly, four members of the Provincial Assembly, two or four former MPs, including the Chamber of Commerce, scholars, lawyers, journalists, businessmen and representatives from different areas.
On the other hand, communication with the organizers of the protest campaign has also been intensified on behalf of the district administration.
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province Information Advisor Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said on Saturday that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has announced the formation of a commission for transparent investigation of the Bannu incident.
In a statement on his X account, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that this commission will conduct a transparent and impartial investigation and submit a report. This report will be made public and the role of those responsible will be determined and legal action will be taken.
He further said that ‘In view of the current wave of terrorism, people are requested to act very carefully. Pakistan and anti-people elements are waiting to worsen the situation.
Anti-national elements should not be given a chance to disturb the peace, the commission’s report will identify those responsible. Rumors and unverified allegations should be avoided prior to the commission’s report.
He said that in this regard, the people are requested to remain peaceful and be careful of any kind of negative propaganda.
‘One should avoid unverified statements and accusations and be aware of the danger of negative rumours. Elements hostile to the country and the people should not be given an opportunity to take advantage of emotions.
One person was killed and several others injured in firing on Friday during a protest once morest the recent attack on an army cantonment in Bannu and the military’s operation ‘Azam-e-Satwat’ to eliminate militants.
More than 10,000 people were demanding peace while waving white flags regarding this new military operation in Bannu, 40 kilometers away from Afghanistan.
Witnesses and officials said Friday’s protest turned violent when the crowd approached the walls of a military installation and opened fire.
An intelligence official in Peshawar told AFP on condition of anonymity: ‘They (the protesters) shouted slogans once morest the army and some people started pelting stones on the wall of the building, which the army attacked. Air firing was carried out by , which resulted in a stampede.’
According to the Minister of Health of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakhtun Yar who addressed the protestors, at least one person was killed in the protest.
Accusing the army of firing on the protesters, he said: ‘During the demonstration, direct fire was fired at me and people standing near me. It was not just aerial firing. He meant to kill us.’
Protest sit-in
be Mein Aman Pasoon (Peace Committee) has started a dharna since Saturday morning as a protest once morest the recent attacks, end of militancy and further military operations.
According to Bannu journalist Manzooruddin, the sit-in is being held at Police Lines Chowk in Bannu city, which is right in front of the main entrance of Bannu Cantonment.
He said that heavy police force has also been deployed around Police Lines Chowk.
On Friday evening, the negotiations between the district administration and the peace committee leaders in Bannu ended inconclusively.
Manzooruddin said that Bannu Pasoon leaders will discuss their future plan of action in Saturday’s sit-in and it is expected to be announced by the evening.
Earlier on Monday, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle in a cantonment in Bannu, killing eight Pakistani soldiers and killing 10 militants.
The Pakistani military said the incident involved militants from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which operates from Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, the Pakistani government announced, without giving details, that the military was going to launch a new campaign to end militancy in areas bordering Afghanistan, with the return of the Taliban government to power. The latter has increased.
HRCP expressed concern over the incidents
Human rights activist Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the deaths and injuries of people as a result of the alleged firing of security personnel on peaceful protesters in Bannu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.
One issued by HRCP office Expression Thousands of protesters gathered in Bannu to demand an end to militancy and no further security operations and to express their long-standing desire for peace and stability in the region, it said.
According to the statement: ‘The apparently deliberate violation of the right to life and freedom of peaceful assembly by the state is reprehensible and such actions reflect contempt for the citizens’ demands for peace.’
The statement said that the provincial and federal governments should immediately pay attention to the protesters and their legitimate concerns and hold accountable those responsible for the deaths and injuries of the protesters.
The HRCP added that any measures taken to restore law and order in the region should be transparently debated in Parliament and the rights of the affected should be protected.
Notice from Amnesty International
The human rights organization Amnesty International has also taken notice of the firing incident in Bannu in a statement and termed it as a ‘violation of the right to peaceful assembly’.
“The use of deadly force once morest a peaceful rally advocating for peace is illegal,” the statement said.
The statement added that the government of Pakistan has repeatedly failed to promote peaceful assembly and ensure the safety of protesters. Amnesty urges the government to urgently investigate and hold the officials responsible for the attack accountable.’
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2024-07-21 16:55:12
