July 11, 2025
By Kaleem Ullah
LAHORE
The killing of a popular member of Awami National Party (ANP), Maulana Khanzeb, in Bajaur, on Thursday July 10, has sparked widespread outrage in the district. Immediately after the incident, public gathered outside the police headquarters to protest the killing and demanded justice, while police reportedly fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Maulana Khanzeb, was a resident of Bajaur, and was known as a moderate but vocal advocate for peace. In 2024, he had contested elections for the National Assembly of Pakistan from Bajaur. He was also a known environmentalist. On Thursday, he was gunned down by unknown assailants in the Shandoi Mor area of Bajaur.
In the incident, Maulana Khanzeb was killed along with another person, who was with him, while two others sitting with him in the car were injured. The attack occurred while he was mobilizing for the upcoming Amaan Pasoon (Peace Uprising) scheduled for July 13 in the area.
Peace that comes with violence
This new wave of Amaan Pasoon in Pakistan’s tribal belt has emerged in response to the worsening security situation in the region. It has been observed that such attacks are increasingly targeting prominent voices advocating for peace, alongside ongoing assaults on security forces.
Earlier on, amid the worsening security situation in the tribal districts —particularly North and South Waziristan — tribes from across South Waziristan gathered under the banner of the Makin Peace Jirgah at Tehsil Makin, demanding an immediate restoration of peace in the region.
A large number of residents, including youth and elders, participated in the jirgah, alongside elected representatives, including a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) and community leaders from the area.
Speaking at the occasion, MPA Asif Khan Mehsud criticized both the federal and provincial governments, stating that they appeared indifferent to the deteriorating security situation.
“It seems that neither the federal nor the provincial government is serious about resolving the security crisis in our area. They cannot understand our pain the way we do,” he said.
Mehsud added that the massive turnout at the jirgah was meant to send a message to policymakers and people across Pakistan that, “We can no longer tolerate this situation,” he said. “Through these Jirgas, we are going to mobilize people from all tribal regions—from Bajaur to Waziristan—to build public pressure on the government so that our voices are heard and our issues are addressed.”
He emphasized the need for peaceful resistance and dialogue, warning that the worsening security and the emerging geopolitical competition between the United States and China could have serious implications for the tribal belt.
“I fear that once again our people might bear the brunt of global rivalries. That is why we must engage in dialogue with all stakeholders, including the military leadership, the Taliban, and the Afghan government, to reach a permanent solution,” he said.
Local grievances
Locals say the peace jirgahs are a direct response to the frequent incidents of terrorism in the tribal areas, including mortar shelling and drone strikes that have led to the deaths and injuries of civilians. Attacks on security forces have also increased in recent days.
Last week, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that 13 security personnel were killed in an attack on a convoy in the Khaddi area of North Waziristan. In the retaliatory operation, 14 militants were reportedly killed. The military further stated that intelligence-based operations were underway in various parts of Waziristan following confirmed reports of militant presence.
Curfews limiting lives
As a result of the heightened security threats, curfews are frequently imposed in the region. A dusk-to-dawn curfew has been enforced for a month, according to an official notification from the district administration.
The notification reads:
“All individuals are directed to comply with this order in letter and spirit and restrict all kinds of movement within the territorial jurisdiction of District North Waziristan—including all major roads, bypasses, link roads, streets, public gathering areas, bazaars, and business centers—from dusk to dawn for the next 30 days to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure smooth public administration.”
Adding to the hardship, locals report that PTCL internet services and cellular mobile networks have been suspended since yesterday in North Waziristan, while a fuel shortage has paralyzed daily life, restricting movement across the district.
KP government’s response
In response to the deteriorating situation, the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced plans to engage parliamentary parties and tribal elders in developing a consensus-based strategy to restore peace in the merged districts.
According to officials, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chaired a high-level meeting with security officials on Tuesday evening. It was decided that a multi-party meeting with the heads of all parliamentary factions will be held on Monday, followed by a PTI parliamentary party session. A separate meeting with tribal elders and key stakeholders is also being planned. Government delegations will subsequently be dispatched to the tribal districts, with invitations for these meetings already being issued.
Confirming the development, CM Gandapur’s spokesperson, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, said the chief minister has taken a serious initiative to address the crisis. “The government expects all stakeholders, including political parties, to treat this critical issue with the seriousness it demands,” he said.
“As part of this effort, the KP government is convening an All Parties Conference in the coming days, and all major political parties will be invited. The chief minister has also called a key meeting of elected members from both the National and Provincial Assemblies representing the merged districts,” he added.
Barrister Saif emphasized that people from all walks of life—including residents of the merged districts and representatives from various schools of thought—will be engaged in the consultative process. “The eradication of terrorism is a shared responsibility that requires collective and coordinated action,” he said.
Call for provincial ownership
Peshawar-based journalist Rasool Dawar told Voicepk that during the meeting, it was strongly emphasized by the security officials that the provincial government must take full ownership of the fight against terrorism. “The government cannot afford to remain disengaged,” he said.
According to Dawar, Chief Minister Gandapur was tasked with reaching out to opposition members and their parliamentary leaders to nominate members for a committee. This committee will travel to Waziristan, engage with relevant stakeholders, and compile a detailed report on the ground situation.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of the provincial government playing an active and responsible role in combating terrorism across the merged districts.