LAKKI MARWAT: Eleven policemen were dismissed from service for attending a protest demonstration against the arrest of a former colleague and for refusing to guard polio teams in Bannu district, an official said on Monday.

He said that the sacked cops had played a leading role in launching an agitation and road blockades against the arrest of their former colleague, Jamshed Khan.

He said that the dismissed policemen included head constables Sher Aslam and Mirazam, lower head constables Hazratullah and Bakhtiar and constables Zaheenullah, Faridullah, Tauseefullah, Faridullah, Riaz, Farmanullah and Anwar Ali Shah.

Bannu district police officer Ziauddin Ahmed told Dawn that police were a disciplined institution and if the cops had genuine concerns, their seniors were there to address them.

“But so far as performing duties in anti-polio drives or accomplishment of other assignments is concerned, no pressure will be accepted at all,” he made clear.

Jamshed was arrested under Maintenance of Public Order and shifted to Haripur jail two days ago.

His arrest triggered protest as policemen from Bannu and Lakki Marwat blocked a key road to record their protest against his arrest.

Local traders also joined the protest demonstration.

Jamshed had also attended a protest sit-in organised by the police officials in Lakki earlier this month against the militant attacks on cops.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2024