BANNU: Tensions between the Bannu police peace committee and district police leadership intensified further as negotiations between police officials, local elders, and the peace committee ended without any breakthrough on Tuesday.
The peace committee announced that the protest would continue and major roads would remain closed.
The protesters continued their sit-in for the second consecutive day, blocking major entry and exit routes of the district for all types of traffic, disrupting routine life.
Traffic remained suspended on Bannu-Dera Ismail Khan Road, Bannu-Miramshah Road, Indus Highway Link Road and Bannu-Kohat Road, while long queues of vehicles were witnessed at different points.
The protesters also stopped employees heading towards the offices of the DIG Bannu Region and district police officer Bannu and sent them back, affecting official work and causing inconvenience to citizens visiting the offices.
The protesters demanded transfer of Bannu DPO Furqan Bilal, restoration of mobile and internet services and withdrawal of transfer orders of Elite Force personnel and other police officials transferred to other districts.
However, mobile internet service has been restored, but the remaining demands are still unresolved.
According to sources, the protest began after the transfer of several police personnel associated with the Bannu police peace committee to other districts, which increased tensions between the committee and district police leadership.
Earlier, negotiations were held between police officials, local elders and representatives of the peace committee in an effort to resolve the matter, but the talks ended inconclusively.
Following the failure of negotiations, the Peace Committee announced that the road blockade would continue until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, DPO Furqan Bilal, while speaking to a delegation of journalists, said he was concerned about the difficulties faced by citizens. However, he stated that according to police rules, there was no officially recognised committee within the police department in the name of the police peace committee.
Meanwhile, no official statement has been issued by the district administration regarding the protesters’ demands.
MOBILE PHONE SERVICE RESTORED: Mobile phone and internet services have been restored in Bannu after remaining suspended for nearly 10 days due to an ongoing security operation.
According to officials, mobile internet services were suspended in Bannu as a precautionary measure during an operation against terrorists in Bakakhel, Miryan, and Wazir sub-division.
Officials said the suspension of services was aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians, preventing possible misuse of sensitive information and providing support to security forces during the operation.
Sources said that the intelligence-based and targeted operation against terrorists in different areas of Bannu including Bakakhel, Miryan, Janikhel and other locations had now entered its final stages.
Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026
