Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The southern districts of Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan) and Tonic The administration and the police have issued instructions to limit the travel of the government employees posted in these areas.
DI Khan A letter issued by the Deputy Commissioner’s office has warned government employees and law enforcement officials of the risk and possibility of being kidnapped by militants.
According to the post, there is a threat of kidnapping on DI Khan Zhob and DI Khan Tonk roads including Bannu and DI Khan Road.
According to the post: ‘All government servants should avoid unnecessary travel and stay and not always use one route for travel. Avoid using Tank, Upper and Lower Waziristan and Darzanda Roads for travel.’
A similar letter has also been issued by the Deputy Commissioner of District Tank, according to which all employees have been instructed to avoid using Tank DI Khan Road.
In the post, instructions have also been given to ensure the installation of CCT cameras in government office buildings and to keep their four walls eight to nine feet high.
It is further stated in the post that ‘in addition to making the presence of watchmen at the main gates of government offices mandatory, barbed wire should be installed on four walls and it should be declared necessary to search all the people entering.’
Instructing the employees to avoid unnecessary travel at night, the letter has also been directed to send the lists of the staff of the government departments to the district police office.
The current Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Provincial Police Chief (IGP) Akhtar Hayat Khan are three important officials related to DI Khan.
Southern districts including Tank, Bannu, DI Khan, Lakki Marwat and North and South Waziristan have been in the grip of militancy for the past time, where police and security forces personnel are being targeted on a daily basis.
Earlier, cases of abduction of government employees, judges and other law enforcement officials from these districts have come to light.
Last day too, 10 security personnel lost their lives as a result of the attack on the joint police and FC check post on Darazandah Road of DI Khan.
South Waziristan District and Sessions Judge Shakirullah was abducted in April this year in Tank. They were later recovered safely. In the same year, there was an attack on the convoy of the judges of South and North Waziristan, in which there were no casualties.
Some time ago due to the disturbing law and order situation, the Tank and local courts of South and North Waziristan were also transferred to DI Khan.
The situation is bad but where is the provincial government?
According to the observers, no action is seen in this disturbing situation of law and order except condemnations and statements by the provincial government.
Policemen resist during an attack by five militants on police lines in the southern city of Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on October 14, 2024 (Bannu Police).
Farzana Ali is a senior journalist and analyst based in Peshawar, who belongs to DI Khan.
He told Independent Urdu that the situation has reached such a level that even common people are now reluctant to use DI Khan Tank Road or DI Khan Zhob Road.
According to Farzana Ali, the public and the media were talking about these situations for about a year, but no one cared and now the result of all this has come to light.
He further informed that the situation was the same in 2008 and 2009 when the police were confined to police stations and could not go out especially at night. The same conditions have now recurred.’
In response to the question about what steps are being taken by the government, Farzana Ali said that law and order is not among the priorities of the provincial government and the chief minister of the province has said that his first priority is to get Imran Khan out of jail. To be taken out.
According to Farzana Ali, the road has been blocked in Karam including the southern districts for the past 18 days and the Chief Minister himself has said that it is not a Shia-Sunni but a land dispute, but the provincial government has failed to solve this problem.
Farzana Ali believes that PTI has pitted the people of this province and an institution against each other and this attitude has become the power of the enemy. All the attacks are being carried out by local extremist groups and the responsibility lies with the provincial government.
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What are the ground facts?
A civil servant from Tank district told Independent Urdu on condition of anonymity that ‘now the situation is such that the civil servants have stopped keeping the civil service card in their pockets. Now we only keep the national identity card with us.’
He said that since the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and other district administration officers of Tank district live in Tank, they have either removed the number plates from the government vehicles or they are using public transport to come to duty.
According to the government official, ‘Some private vehicles go to offices early in the morning or change the time daily so that their movements cannot be detected and now it has become a challenge to do government work in the tank.’
DI Khan-based VOA journalist Adnan Bettani, who reports from the southern districts, told Independent Urdu that the government posts seem to have run out of government power in these areas.
Adnan Betni said that apparently the posts are for government employees, but the roads on which unnecessary travel is said to be avoided are important highways, which meet the borders of DI Khan’s Punjab and Sindh.
He added, ‘Common people have also reduced the use of these highways, which may have affected the business life of common people, while the police have been limited to patrolling these areas only during daylight hours. .’
Government position
The spokesperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, when contacted by Independent Urdu, said that “law and order is the first priority of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and in this regard, a seven billion rupees project has been approved to increase the capacity of the police.” Armored vehicles have also been purchased for the police in some areas.
He said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is fulfilling its responsibilities according to its resources regarding law and order. However, in this regard, the federal government also has a heavy responsibility. The southern districts and annexed districts are border areas and the border is managed by federal agencies.
He alleged that the federal agencies are not fulfilling their responsibilities on the border properly. The second thing is that the foreign policies of the federal government also have huge flaws. With regard to foreign affairs with Afghanistan, the federal government is not playing the role it should play.
Some time ago, senior PTI leader and former provincial minister Shaukat Ali Yousafzai told Independent Urdu that terrorism in the province is happening across the border and the federal government is blaming it on the provincial government.
Shaukat Yousafzai said that ‘Our constitutional government was taken away from us and we are struggling for the supremacy of the constitution in the country.’
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#Khyber #Pakhtunkhwa #government #improve #public #order
**Interview with Farzana Ali: Analyzing the Security Situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us, Farzana. As a seasoned journalist and analyst based in Peshawar, you have a unique perspective on the recent developments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in the southern districts of Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. Can you give us an overview of the current security situation?
**Farzana Ali**: Thank you for having me. The security situation in these districts has deteriorated significantly. The local administration has been forced to issue warnings to government employees to limit their travel due to the increased risk of kidnappings by militants. The fear has escalated to the point where even ordinary citizens avoid certain roads, indicating a broader sense of insecurity in the region.
**Editor**: What specific steps have been taken by local authorities in response to this situation?
**Farzana Ali**: The Deputy Commissioner’s office has outlined several measures, such as installing CCTV cameras in government buildings, increasing the height of perimeter walls, and ensuring that all entrances are manned by watchmen. However, these measures often feel reactive rather than preventive, suggesting a lack of proactive strategy in addressing the underlying issues of militancy.
**Editor**: You mentioned that similar conditions existed in 2008 and 2009. Are there any parallels that can be drawn between those times and the present situation?
**Farzana Ali**: Absolutely. The current reaction from both the police and government officials reflects the same pattern of confinement we saw years ago, where law enforcement felt they had to retreat to their stations for safety. It reveals a troubling regression where security forces are unable to assert control over the areas they are meant to protect.
**Editor**: There seems to be a sentiment that the provincial government isn’t taking this issue seriously. Can you expand on that?
**Farzana Ali**: That’s right. There’s a perception that law and order is not a priority for our provincial leaders. The Chief Minister has publicly stated that his primary focus is on political maneuvers rather than addressing the security crisis. This disregard for public safety is alarming, especially when local civil servants have started to travel discreetly, avoiding identification to reduce their risk of abduction.
**Editor**: How are everyday citizens affected by this ongoing insecurity?
**Farzana Ali**: Citizens are not only fearful for their safety but also feel the economic impact. The fear of using critical highways has impacted local businesses and trade. Less traffic and footfall mean diminished economic activity, which only worsens the already fragile situation of the local economy in these areas.
**Editor**: Lastly, what do you think is necessary to improve the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
**Farzana Ali**: A comprehensive strategy is needed that emphasizes security and community trust. The provincial government must engage with local leaders and law enforcement to address the root causes of militancy. It’s imperative to create a safe environment for both citizens and officials. Additionally, transparent communication is key; the government must inform the public about the steps being taken to ensure their safety.
**Editor**: Thank you, Farzana, for shedding light on these critical issues facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Your insights are invaluable as we seek to understand and address the challenges in this region.
**Farzana Ali**: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial that we keep the conversation going about safety and security in our communities.
Ul for their personal safety but are also experiencing a significant negative impact on their daily lives and livelihoods. Many people are avoiding vital transportation routes, which has disrupted local business activities. The atmosphere of fear is palpable; people are altering their routines to minimize exposure to potential threats, which is categorically unsustainable for community dynamics.
**Editor**: What do you believe should be the immediate steps taken by the provincial government to improve the situation?
**Farzana Ali**: The government needs to prioritize genuine investments in security—beyond just promises. This includes enhancing police capabilities, establishing clear communication channels between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and fostering local involvement in counter-militancy efforts. Most importantly, there should be a commitment to address the root causes of militancy, not just the symptoms.
**Editor**: There have been concerns about the government’s response to the situation. How do you assess their handling of security issues in the region?
**Farzana Ali**: The current approach feels largely reactive, with an emphasis on short-term fixes rather than comprehensive planning for long-term safety. While they have made public statements and initiated some projects, the results are lacking. The common sentiment among the population is that the government is more focused on political issues than the burgeoning security crisis that affects everyday life.
**Editor**: Thank you, Farzana, for sharing your insights. It’s evident that the situation requires urgent attention, and it will be crucial for local and provincial authorities to take meaningful action to restore safety and confidence among the residents of these regions.
**Farzana Ali**: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope that these discussions spark a necessary change in focus from mere rhetoric to actionable solutions for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.