VARIOUS accounts available on main- stream and social media indicate that police personnel in Lakki Marwat and Bannu area tend to confine themselves to their stations after sunset due to threats of terrorist attacks. It is deplorable that uniformed personnel, who receive salaries for protecting the people and maintaining peace, are so unprofessionally concerned about their own safety. This raises many questions about the public’s expected course of action; are they expected to take responsibility for their own safety by arming themselves against unknown assailants at night?

Unfortunately, such dereliction of duty by police personnel only emboldens the terrorists. If the police force fails to conduct night patrols, terrorists will be able to roam freely and carry out attacks with impunity. This is unacceptable, and the general public should not be placed in such a distressing situation.

The state has a responsibility to protect its citizens at all times, day and night. Failure to do so will result in devastating consequences. Police should be proactive, and, more critically, provide adequate protection to the public, restoring the long lost public trust in the security institution.

Anwar Sayab Khan
Bannu

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2024