BANNU: Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Professor Mohammad Ibrahim Khan voiced concerns over the worsening situation in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Bannu. He stated that recent suicide attacks in the Bannu cantonment, along with ongoing clashes between security forces and the Taliban in various districts, have severely impacted civilians.
Addressing a press conference at Bannu Press Club, Ibrahim urged both the military and the Taliban to engage in peace talks instead of using religious justifications for war against each other. He specifically called for reopening Jumma Khan Road, Miranshah Road, and other cantonment areas for public use. Additionally, he demanded the withdrawal of cases against Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) leaders, including Samad Khan Lala, and their removal from the Fourth Schedule.
He criticized Pakistan’s foreign policy, urging the country's leadership to prioritize national interests over American agendas. He accused the U.S. of attempting to pit Pakistan against both Afghanistan and Iran and called for improved relations with China, Iran, and Afghanistan. Ibrahim proposed a visa-free travel policy between Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey, similar to European Union countries.
He further condemned the attack on Jaffar Express, stressing that continued violence and instability could only be addressed by implementing Pakistan’s constitutional provisions related to Islamic governance. He urged all armed factions to abandon militancy, arguing that an Islamic system could not be established through armed struggle but rather through political means.
Professor Ibrahim also called on the military to reconsider its counterterrorism operations, warning that actions like military operations and the Fourth Schedule were only fueling more violence. He criticized the government’s alignment with U.S. interests, warning that the sooner Pakistan distances itself from American policies, the better it would be for the country.
He concluded by advocating for a shift in military priorities, suggesting that the armed forces should focus on defending the eastern border and Kashmir instead of engaging in prolonged conflicts in the western regions.
Meanwhile, the Bannu Traders Association has issued a three-day deadline for reopening blocked roads, warning of further action if their demands are not met.
Addressing a press conference at Bannu Press Club, the association’s president, Pir Manzoor Shah, also known as Gul Pir, stated that the fight against terrorism is the responsibility of security forces and the people. However, blocking roads and creating difficulties for the public and traders after terrorist incidents is unfair. He emphasized that such measures not only lead to human and financial losses but also paralyze business activities, ultimately serving the objectives of terrorists.
Shah highlighted that the closure of key roads, including Miranshah Road and Jumma Khan Road, along with the restriction of access in cantonment areas, has significantly disrupted business and created a climate of fear in Bannu. He urged authorities to enhance security measures and tighten checks instead of shutting down roads and markets, which he argued is not a solution to the problem.
Other trader leaders at the press conference criticized the inaction of local representatives, including four MPAs, an MNA, a provincial minister, and the Chief Secretary. They claimed that Bannu has been left "orphaned" and that traders have taken it upon themselves to demand action. They called on the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Secretary, and the Peshawar Corps Commander to reopen the roads, stressing that the blockade has affected a population of 1.4 million and severely disrupted traffic. If their demands are not met within three days, they vowed to announce a new course of action.
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18 Apr, 2025
