SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A protest sit-in led by the ‘Muttahida Siyasi Aman Pasoon’ (joint political peace movement) entered its second consecutive day on Friday in Wana, Lower South Waziristan district.

The demonstration has drawn wide participation from across the political spectrum, including senior leadership and activists from Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), LB members along with representatives from various local civil society groups.

The protesters have put forth a four-point charter of demands, urging the federal government and security officials to take immediate action.

The key demands include restoration of law and order in the region, reopening of the Angoor Adda border crossing for trade, which has remained shut for the past 22 months, supply of electricity to Wana from the nearby Gomal Zam Dam, and granting constitutional ownership rights to local communities over natural mineral resources in the area.

The demonstrators argue that these steps were essential for restoring stability and creating economic opportunities for the conflict-affected population.

Meanwhile, a jirga of religious leaders and tribal elders from Tehsil Shakai, led by Maulana Muhammad Jahangir, arrived in Wana and joined the sit-in, reflecting growing support for the movement.

Throughout the day, various political and tribal leaders addressed the gathering; notable among those were Maulana Muhammad Jahangir, Maulana Shaukatullah, Jamaat-e-Islami’s district chief Asadullah, PTI focal person Muhammad Haroon, PPP’s village chairman Ahmad Khan, ANP’s district general secretary Abid Wazir, Malik Anwar Khan, Malik Gul Muhammad leader of the Pashtun jirga, Malik Sanaullah, and PTM representative Farmanullah.

They pointed out that while the people of Waziristan and adjoining regions endured displacement, poverty, and violence in the name of national security, they have received little in return in terms of protection, development, and basic rights.

They said that the continued closure of the Angoor Adda border had severely crippled local trade and livelihoods, giving rise to a noticeable surge in crime, including targeted killings, extortion, and abductions, adding, if poor governance and insecurity issues were not addressed simultaneously, lasting peace would remain elusive.

They warned of further escalation in protests, if their demands were not met.

WANA-GOMAL ZAM ROAD BLOCKED: Four days of torrential rains have triggered severe landslides in Lower South Waziristan, as the key Wana-Gomal Zam Road remains partially blocked, causing immense difficulties for commuters, transporters, and the general public.

Speaking to Dawn on Saturday, representatives of the transport union said that landslides at Shin Kai and several other locations had rendered the road impassable, severely disrupting traffic flow on the Dera Ismail Khan–Wana route, as no alternative arrangements were available.

The transport union expressed strong reservations over the performance of the highways department, stating that bureaucratic delays and a lack of machinery had worsened the situation.

Meanwhile, Akram Wazir, executive engineer (XEN) Highways, claimed, “The operation to restore the Wana-Gomal Zam Road is underway at full pace. We are making every possible effort to reopen the route as soon as possible.”

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2025