A meeting between Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and a delegation of the Bannu Aman Jirga on Monday called for the eviction of the “good Taliban” from their region, as part of ongoing efforts to calm tensions after violence at a peace rally last week.
On Sunday, the Jirga comprising local elders and representatives of protesters had submitted 16 demands to the district administration for subsequent forwarding to the KP government, seeking an end to centers for Taliban militants who had surrendered, as well as a halt to their patrols and pickets. The same day, the chief minister had issued a video statement noting that he had conveyed to the apex committee that some armed men were posing as government officials and interfering in official activities. He said he had ordered police to arrest any individuals immediately.
Apart from seeking the eviction of the so-called good Taliban, the Jirga members opposed the proposed Azm-e-Istehkam and demanded night patrols by police, as well as action against militants without pressure from any security agency. Similarly, they demanded that police and the Counter-Terrorism Department, rather than the military, conduct search and strike operations. As part of this, they sought greater budgetary allocations for the CTD and police.
Additionally, the Jirga demanded the reopening of a main road in Bannu for traffic; the presentation of all missing persons in courts; and free reign for CTD to act against any Taliban—whether “good” or “bad”—without any interference. The Jirga said injured police officials should receive treatment at Combined Military Hospitals and local residents granted a due share in local natural resources. It similarly called for a restoration of internet/cellphone services. Also, the Jirga sought a judicial inquiry to fix responsibility for the casualties incurred during the peace march last week.
While negotiations are underway, a sit-in seeking the acceptance of the jirga’s demands continued for a third day on Monday, with locals warning that they would not leave until the government assured them of relief. “Ali Amin Gandapur will visit Bannu on Friday. The chief minister has also stated that he will call a meeting of the Apex Committee. Five members of the jirga will partake in the meeting of the Apex Committee,” Jirga chief Nasir Khan told journalists.