The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Apex Committee approved on Thursday all demands of the Bannu Peace Committee including indiscriminate police action against armed groups.

A peaceful strike would be observed across Bannu tomorrow (on Friday) and KP Chief Minister Ali Amir Gandapur would brief the people on the details of the apex committee meeting at Paredi Gate Chowk in Bannu at 2pm.

The provincial apex committee discussed the 16 demands of the Bannu Peace Committee, including the procedure for forming a commission on the Bannu incident. Peshawar corps commander, inspector general of police, the chief secretary, and Adviser to the KP CM on Information Muhammad Ali Saif attended the meeting.

The administration has banned gatherings of more than four people under Section 144 of the CrPC as “important personalities” are expected to visit the district tomorrow.

In their demands, the committee sought an end to centres of banned Taliban militants, who had surrendered, as well as a stop to their patrols and pickets. The committee comprising 40 members also stated that they would not accept the proposed counterterrorism operation, Azm-i-Istehkam, in the province in general and Bannu in particular.

It also demanded night patrols by the police and action against militants without pressure from any security agency.

‘Action against any armed non-state actors involved’

A joint statement issued after the apex committee meeting stated that terrorists are “condemnable in all forms” and actions would be taken against them. KP CM Gandapur has directed the police to arrest and take action against any armed non-state actors involved.

The police would conduct “indiscriminate operations” against the offices of armed groups. The military institutions have clarified that there “is no ongoing operation” in the province and the police and Counter-Terrorism Department would take action against terrorist elements. In areas near the border where the police cannot operate, the assistance of the military would be sought.

The police have been directed to ensure continuous patrolling at all times. Additional support, including manpower and vehicles, would be provided to the entire province, with a focus on the southern districts on a priority basis.

The statement also mentioned that the creation of new positions would prioritize the southern districts, and the CTD would conduct operations in suspicious areas and madrassas.

KP government says no military operation under way

No military operation was being carried out in the province, KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said and added that actions against those creating unrest would continue. He said the ongoing operations in the province were still under way.

“We are also preparing our own report on the Bannu incident,” he told reporters in Peshawar.

The provincial government spokesperson said that a judicial commission would be formed to investigate the Bannu incident after the approval of the Peshawar High Court chief justice.

He added that a jirga (tribal council) has been formed regarding the Bannu incident and the peace committee has presented conditions to end the sit-in protest, resulting in the “immediate restoration” of peace through the efforts of the jirga.

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According to Saif, various social media groups were involved in spreading unrest and any operation on the frontline would involve the police and the CTD. He claimed that Rs3 billion has been allocated to boost the police and CTD and further recruitments in the police would also be made.

“Internet services have been restored in Bannu and the hospitals in Bannu will provide treatment facilities to the people,” he said.

The KP chief minister has held a meeting with the jirga members and assured them that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands.