KP CM Accepts All Demands of Bannu Jirga, Submits to Apex Committee

Bannu Jirga

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has agreed to all the demands put forth by the Bannu Aman Jirga during a meeting earlier this week, on Wednesday, citing sources.

These demands are set to be presented at the upcoming apex committee meeting, expected to take place tomorrow. During this session, the terms of reference (ToRs) for forming a commission to investigate the Bannu incident will be discussed.

The apex committee meeting will see the attendance of several high-ranking officials, including the KP chief secretary, the additional secretary of home affairs, the Corps Commander Peshawar, the KP Inspector General (IG), and other senior officers.

Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that the jirga has called for several significant actions: the dismantling of armed groups operating within the province, the empowerment of the police with increased night patrolling, authorization for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) to conduct search operations and take action against terrorists instead of relying solely on security forces, and ensuring that missing persons are presented before the courts.

During the meeting held late Monday, CM Gandapur addressed the concerns and queries raised by the members of the Bannu jirga.

He clarified that the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had provided clarity on Operation Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability), a new counterterrorism initiative launched in response to a surge in terrorist attacks.

Gandapur emphasized that Azm-e-Istehkam is not a traditional military operation but a strategic approach to eradicate terrorism and extremism.

The meeting comes in the context of reservations expressed by several political parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), the Awami National Party (ANP), and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), who have demanded that the authorities take parliament into confidence regarding the new counterterrorism strategy.

During a press conference in Rawalpindi, ISPR Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry clarified that Azm-e-Istehkam is a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism campaign rather than a conventional military operation.

CM Gandapur informed the jirga members that the KP police and the CTD would lead the search operations, with assistance from the security forces as needed.

He assured that the provincial police would act against armed individuals, and their patrolling duties would be increased.

The government is also taking steps to strengthen the police and the CTD in Bannu by initiating recruitment drives and providing additional vehicles.

Furthermore, CM Gandapur assured the Bannu Aman Jirga that Jumma Khan Road would soon be reopened for movement. Adviser to the KP CM on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, told that the apex committee is an independent body responsible for making decisions on national security matters.

He emphasized that measures to eliminate terrorism will be implemented not only in Bannu but across the entire province.

He highlighted the importance of addressing the Bannu firing incident in the upcoming apex committee session, where the formation of a commission to investigate the incident will also be discussed.

The situation in Bannu escalated following a firing incident during the Bannu Aman March last week, which resulted in the death of at least one person and injuries to 22 others.

During the peace march, armed individuals reportedly opened fire, prompting a response from the army personnel based on their standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The DG ISPR noted that the incident sparked significant activity on social media, illustrating how digital platforms can amplify and support terrorist actions on the ground.