LOWER WAZIRISTAN: Thousands of people took to the streets in Lower Waziristan tribal district on Sunday in a show of defiance against a militant group, which had set November 15 as deadline for taking over control of Wana town from police.

Markets and bazaars in Wana were closed and vehicles remained off the road owing to the protest. Thousands of people took part in the protest march, started from Wana bazaar.

The protest was jointly organised by PashtunTahafuz Movement (PTM); Waziristan Political Alliance (WPA), a conglomerate of various political parties; and local traders.

Holding black flags and chanting slogans against militancy, the protesters assembled in front of Javed Sultan Camp, the base of the army in Lower Waziristan, where their leaders addressed them.

Militant commander has announced to ‘take control’ of Wana on Nov 15

Unlike the past, people from Swat to Lower Waziristan have stood firmly against militancy in the province and have shown their resolve to resist terrorism. Political parties and civil society groups have come together to organise peace rallies in the big and small towns of the province to denounce the fresh wave of terrorism.

Mir Ajam Khan, aka Commander Tiger of Mullah Nazir group, in a video message last week had stated his group would replace police in Wana to maintain peace in the area. He had alleged that police failed to maintain law and order in the area.

However, another commander of Mullah Nazir group had refuted his statement and said that this group did not make any decision in that regard.

Sources said that Mullah Nazir group had been divided into four factions. Mullah Nazir was killed in a US drone attack in January 2013.

Addressing the protesters, speakers showed concerns over surge in incidents of targeted killing, kidnapping and movement of unidentified gunmen in the area. They said that the people of Waziristan would no more tolerate terrorism and militancy.

They said that dead bodies were thrown on the Wana bypass road from vehicles with tinted glasses.

They said that that the leaders of PTM and WPA would meet local ulema in Wana on November 18 to apprise them of the prevailing situation and seek their support. After meeting with the ulema, they will present a charter of demands to the district administration and senior officers of the security forces.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2022