Protest jirgas planned for teacher’s recovery, other issues resolution

BANNU: The elders of Bannu on Sunday announced to hold tehsil-wise jirgas to push for the recovery of a schoolteacher abducted some time ago and formulate a joint strategy for addressing pressing local issues.

A protest jirga was held in Bannu city under the chairmanship of former senator Baz Muhammad Khan where the participants pointed out various issues, including deteriorating law and order situation, the removal of traders from Schedule IV and other grievances.

The jirga was attended by several notable figures, including former senator Prof Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Dr Pir Sahib Zaman, City Mayor Irfan Durrani, Tehsil Mayor of Miryan Pir Kamal Shah, Tehsil Domaill Mayor Israr Khan, Shaukat Ayaz Khan, Advocate Murid Hayat, Malik Dilnawaz Khan, Farmanullah Mirakhel, Malik Sher Dar Ali, Malik Sardar Khan, Traders Union president Pir Gul Manzoor Shah, Altafur Rehman, Shaukatullah Khan and dozens of other tribal elders.

Addressing the gathering, Baz Muhammad praised the successful shutter-down and wheel-jam strike organized by the people. However, he expressed deep disappointment over the fact that even after a month, the abducted schoolteacher, Farman Ali Shah, had not been recovered, nor had innocent traders been removed from Schedule IV.

He criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for failing to implement the 16-point agenda approved in the Apex Committee meeting. He also condemned the dismissal of 16 police officers who have yet to be reinstated.

Baz Muhammad emphasized that the people would remain steadfast and not remain silent on their legitimate demands. As a first step, he announced that protest jirgas would be held in each tehsil under the supervision of the respective mayors in Miryan tehsil on May 28, Domail tehsil on May 31, Kakki tehsil on June 2, Bannu tehsil on June 3, Bakakhel on June 12 and Wazir Sub-Division on June 15.The speakers said that these jirgas aimed at evolving consensus among local leadership and elders to pressurize authorities for immediate action on their demands.