November 22, 2025
By Kaleem Ullah
LAHORE
Awami National Party (ANP) Bajaur spokesperson Obaidullah Khan Salarzai was taken into custody on Thursday from the court premises after a local court revoked his pre-arrest bail in a case accusing him of allegedly disturbing public order and delivering unlawful, inflammatory remarks against state institutions during a gathering held several weeks ago.
The Bajaur Qaumi Jirga had organised the gathering in October this year to address the deteriorating law and order situation, attracting participants from various political parties and walks of life. Syed Sadiq Akbar, ANP’s additional district secretary and a close friend of the detained Obaidullah, told Voicepk that “On October 26, residents of Bajaur tribal district staged a protest calling for the restoration of peace and stability in the region, and an end to the siege of the Badan area in War Mamund. Due to that demonstration, the authorities registered an FIR in which Obaidullah was named along with two other party members and around 350 unknown individuals.”
Akbar believes the authorities arrested Obaidullah solely to silence their voice and prevent them from campaigning against insecurity and for peace. He alleged that state institutions have been consistently trying to suppress and create barriers for those striving for peace, human rights, and youth empowerment in the area.
He expressed hope that the party spokesperson would be released by Monday, saying, “Obaid was sent on a one-day judicial remand and then shifted to jail. He has a court appearance on Monday, and we are hopeful the court will grant bail and he will be among us again, fighting for the rights of the people.”
According to police, the ANP district spokesperson was taken into custody after the additional sessions judge cancelled his bail and denied his lawyer’s request for an extension of his interim pre-arrest bail. The case, filed on October 26, 2025, at Khar police station, includes charges under Sections 339, 341, 504, 505, and 124-A of the PPC. After the bail cancellation, the court directed police to arrest the ANP leader and transfer him to the local jail.
Meanwhile, residents of Khar who had been displaced due to a recent operation against militants in the area have returned to their homes.
Sibjhat Ullah, a father of five and a resident of Jannat Shah village, had just arrived back home after spending several days as a temporarily displaced person (TDP) in a nearby locality. He told Voicepk over the phone, “I was living with my family in a small rented house in the nearby area of Loye Sam. On Wednesday, the authorities informed us that our area had been cleared of terrorists and that we could safely return home. Our family and children are very happy now in the village, as they had been living in small, congested houses during the displacement.”
Residents of Bajaur had also witnessed a large-scale military operation in 2008. Recalling the 2008 Operation Sherdil, during which thousands were displaced for nearly two and a half years, Sibjhat Ullah said, “The situation back then was disastrous. When we returned in 2008, our houses had been demolished due to shelling and bombardment. This time, it is not as bad. Apart from the loss of some belongings, my house is safe, though my brother’s house has been affected.”
When asked whether the security situation had improved after the operation, he said, “I cannot say whether the security situation has improved, because an environment of fear and uncertainty still prevails. People cannot leave their homes at night unless it is an emergency.”
On November 19, the district administration announced via its official Facebook page: “After the successful and effective completion of targeted operations by security forces against militant elements, the residents of Lara Banda, Kausar, Jannat Shah, Gaaron, Dhaili, and Shah Gai Qila in Tehsil Khar — who had been temporarily displaced — are informed that they can safely return to their homes starting tomorrow.”