ISLAMABAD: The recently formed Bannu Tahafuz Movement (BTM) on Monday called for an impartial judicial commission to investigate the recent violence in Bannu and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad on Monday, BTM Chairman Dil Nawaz Khan, accompanied by other office-bearers, described the perpetrators as “criminals”, “non-state actors”, and “the long-haired”, stressing they were the common enemies of the people of Bannu, the army, law enforcement agencies and politicians.

“We demand that the army seek help from the people if needed, and that the provincial government establish peace in Bannu. The current situation cannot continue,” said Mr Khan, a retired employee of Gomal University.

The newly formed group includes people from all walks of life in Bannu. BTM President Shahid Nawaz is a businessperson, while the movement’s general secretary works in the private sector.

Group comprising locals demands compensation for those injured in terror attacks

Referring to the debate about who created these terrorists, Mr Khan said, “The general argument is that people ask who made these terrorists, whether we call them TTP or anyone else — I call them the long-haired non-state actors, but that is irrelevant now.”

He added that while he even agreed with the argument of some segments that secret agencies were the godfathers of these terrorist groups, “the fact remains that our jawans and army officers have suffered the most from these terror attacks”.

Terrorism was a common enemy of the army, Frontier Corps (FC), police and political forces, the BTM chief emphasised, calling for unified efforts to eradicate the menace from the province and the country.

“Our primary concern and demand is that the people of Bannu do not want to become internally displaced persons (IDPs). We ask the government to compensate the injured in terrorist attacks equally to the packages granted to those in the forces and restore mobile and internet services in Bannu,” Mr Khan said.

He also called on the government to fulfil promises made to the IDPs of North Waziristan and Wana.

He highlighted the continued presence of criminals and non-state actors who have established offices in various locations, estimating that there were around 37 such offices. He said these individuals moved around in vehicles with tinted glass along with their weapons.

“These conditions have created an atmosphere of fear and panic in Bannu. The situation is not normal anywhere, and even the governor and chief minister of Khyber Pakht­unkhwa are not moving freely in the province,” Mr Khan said.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2024