Bannu peace committee submits 11-point assurance as talks with police conclude

Police Peace Committee representatives concluded successful talks with police officials in Bannu on Sunday, submitting an 11-point written assurance outlining a code of conduct for committee members. The assurance specifies that members will not engage in protests, strikes, or political activities, and will perform duties within the law.

No member will arrest anyone without legal authority, and counter-terrorism actions will be handled by relevant agencies. Committee members will cooperate with the army, Frontier Corps, Counter-Terrorism Department, and other law enforcement agencies only under authorized officials' direction. Members must refrain from exceeding authority and engaging in unlawful activities, accepting legal action for violations.

The talks took place at Bannu Police Lines, attended by RPO Abdul Ghafoor Afridi, MNA Maulana Syed Naseem Ali Shah, MNA Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, MPA Malik Pakhtunyar Khan, and local elders. PTI leader Sher Afzal Khan Marwat expressed reservations over member transfers, urging authorities to investigate the committee's formation and police personnel's reasons for action.

This led to disruptions in police services and traffic. Police Peace Committee President Hazratullah objected to transferring seven Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police constables, prompting some personnel to boycott duties and causing service disruptions. The MNA emphasized that Bannu and Lakki Marwat's 2.2 million residents support the committee, noting ongoing regional improvements.

He warned against actions that could weaken the committee, stressing that responsibility would be on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general if terrorists resurged. MNA Shah called for district-level empowered committees for future decisions, while MPA Pakhtunyar stood with the police and committee, promising to support them against obstacles.

In Lakki Marwat, the committee ended a four-day protest following talks, recovering an abducted police official and canceling transfers of personnel. The assurance also covers providing modern equipment to the police and enhancing security arrangements. Bannu has faced repeated security incidents recently, with civilians and security forces targeted amid rising militant violence.