NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Thousands of people gathered on the main road in Mirali and shops and businesses remained closed as Friday prayer was offered on a two-kilometre stretch of the road to protest against an anticipated military operation in the area.

The air echoed with chants of ‘operation namanzoor’ during the prayers as the protesters’ leader MNA Mufti Misbahuddin of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F delivered a sermon, saying that the people have rejected any more military operation in the area.

Mufti Misbahuddin declared: “This prayer is a peaceful rejection of any military operation by the people. We stand to protect our homes, lands, markets and children. No force can displace us again.”

He added that the tribal people had previously established peace and would not accept ‘destruction in the name of peace’ again.

Offer Friday prayers on road to raise concerns

Mufti Baitullah, spokesperson for the Uthmanzai tribe, announced the tribe’s collective decision, saying: “If a military operation is carried out in any village or area, the entire village will come out of their homes against it.”

He said that peaceful protests would be held everywhere, and people would be encouraged not to leave their homes.

The speakers said that shops and homes will not be vacated, come what may.

Traders from Miranshah, Mir Ali, Khaddi, Hermz, Hasso Khel, and Epi areas stated that the losses incurred during operation Zarb-e-Azb (2014) had still not been fully compensated.

Local shopkeeper Haji Gul Muhammad said: “We rebuilt our shops taking loans and revived our businesses, yet we constantly hear that another operation is coming. Our lives are overwhelmed by uncertainty.”

He recounted how, during the previous operation, women spent months in open fields, schools, and tented camps: “This time, we won’t leave our homes.”

After operation Zarb-e-Azb, over 7,500 shops were completely destroyed in Miramshah, and over 800 in Mir Ali Bazaar, while more than 2,000 homes were partially or fully damaged. Goods worth hundreds of millions of rupees were either destroyed or went missing.

Tribal elder Nisar Ali Khan stated: “We’ve been informed that a ‘clearance operation’ is being planned in certain areas. This time, we will not stay silent.”

He highlighted concerns from past operations, including mass displacement, extrajudicial arrests, and violations of civil liberties. He added: “Today, the people of North Waziristan have sent a clear message to the world - they are peaceful, but they will not make more sacrifices, as their patience has run out.”

He warned that if the state did not pay heed to the people’s voice, the protest may escalate, not just on the streets, but within political and constitutional frameworks as well.

It’s worth noting that in recent weeks, clashes between the security forces and suspected militants, landmine explosions, and multiple suicide attacks have been reported, which according to the speakers are being used as a pretext to launch the operation.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2025