DERA ISMAIL KHAN: People from different walks of life continued their sit-in in front of the deputy commissioner’s office for the second day in Tank district on Friday.

Thousands of people including tribal elders, youth, traders, intellectuals and others participated in the sit-in staged by Aman Jirga paticipants. Traders from all over the district closed their businesses and staged a shutdown strike.

The sit-in was addressed by Aman Jirga chief Maulana Naqeebullah Bittani, MPA Usman Khan Bittani, Pashtun nationalist leaders Malik Akbar and others.

Speaking on the occasion, the speakers said that residents had been forced to relocate due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the city and suburbs.

Participants blame LEAs for shattered peace in district

The speakers said that the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) were responsible for the disturbed peace in the Tank district. “We will not allow operation Azm-i-Istehkam in such a situation,” they announced.

They urged that all the people of Tank should participate in the Aman Jirga because it was not only the issue of Pashtuns but also of Tank’s entire population.

MPA Usman Khan said that whatever decision the people of Tank would take, he would stand at the forefront with them.

The participants of Aman jirga said that the sit-in would continue until their demands were met, otherwise, they would move towards Islamabad, they warned.

The participants also announced a complete boycott of the polio campaign across the district, and black flags were also hoisted on houses and shops in protest.

Due to the sit-in, most of the government offices including district kutchery and deputy commissioner office remained closed, and all the banks were also closed across the district.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2024