July 27, 2024
By Mateen Ali
LAHORE
On Friday, July 26, thousands of men attended a public gathering in Parati Gate Bazaar in Bannu city, to protest against the Bannu firing incident and demand peace in the area. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur addressed the gathering.
Criticising the Azm e Istehkam Operation, Gandapur said, “As a chief minister, I announce that we will not allow any operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa”.
He added that the KP police would assume responsibility for hunting down terrorist bases and neutralizing them.
Tribesmen from across the Bannu division reached the bazaar in groups, holding white flags as a symbol of peace. The word ‘aman’, meaning ‘peace’, was inscribed on them. They raised slogans against recent incidents of terrorism.
Shutter down strikes and marches were also observed in Manshakhel, Wana, and Bajaur.
The march was organised by Muttahida Sayasi Aman Pasoon, a group of nine political parties –JUI-F, PPP, ANP, PML-N, PTI, PkMAP, NAP, PTM, JI and NDM. The bazaars remained closed to express solidarity with the marchers.
Speakers emphasised that, regardless of political differences, the local community was united in demanding peace and stability.
A string of public demonstrations have been held to reject the Azm-e-Istehkam operation announced by the state. On July 19, a similar gathering was subject to violence, when one person was killed and 27 injured.