A series of high-level jirgas convened under the leadership of Brigadier Ameer Niazi, Commander of the 116 Brigade, and Deputy Commissioner Faheem Khan in Bannu have underscored a renewed focus on security, governance, and public welfare, signaling a potential turning point in local stability.
The jirgas, held with community elders from Janikhel and Bakakhel, provided a platform for a detailed exchange of views on security conditions, law and order, administrative challenges, and public demands. Residents highlighted urgent issues including road repairs, absenteeism among teachers, and the restoration of 4G internet services.
Brigadier Ameer Niazi assured participants that maintaining peace and security remains the top priority of the military and civil administration. He emphasized strict monitoring of government employees’ attendance and committed to eliminating all forms of terrorist influence and contacts in the region. Following the review of security measures, authorities announced the reopening of all roads across Bannu, restoring movement and trade in previously restricted areas.
Community elders welcomed the proactive measures and pledged full cooperation with security agencies to consolidate peace. The confidence-building jirgas were preceded by field visits by Brigadier Niazi to key areas, including Howaid, Sheikh Lundak, and the village of Top Takhti Khel, where he assessed local security operations firsthand. Officers praised the courage and effectiveness of police personnel and local volunteer committees in maintaining public safety.
A separate jirga with elders from Bakakhel reinforced community commitment to supporting ongoing operations. Authorities emphasized that recent security measures have established a temporary calm, which, with continued public collaboration, can be transformed into lasting stability.
Brigadier Ameer Niazi highlighted the ideological challenges posed by terrorist networks, stating that militants are misleading local youth by misusing religious principles. He called for vigilant public cooperation to prevent such exploitation and to ensure a safe environment for families, schools, and businesses across the district.
The joint efforts of the military, civil administration, law enforcement, and community leaders in Bannu mark a decisive step toward sustainable security, reflecting a model of coordinated civil-military engagement to address both immediate threats and long-term governance challenges.
