In an emotional press conference held at the Bannu Press Club, a woman from the Bhart Khas area of Bannu publicly announced complete disassociation from her son, who she said had joined the Khawarij years ago, while appealing to the government and law enforcement agencies to stop what she described as the continued harassment and suffering of her family.
Amina Bibi, widow of the late Habibullah and a resident of Bhart Khas, stated that her son, Saqib, left home in 2010 and has not returned since. Speaking to journalists alongside family members, she said her son adopted the “wrong path” without the consent, knowledge, or support of his parents and had effectively severed ties with the family.
“My son left home in 2010 and became estranged from us. We neither supported nor encouraged his actions in any way,” she said. “Since then, we have been living a life of fear, poverty, and constant uncertainty.”
Amina Bibi alleged that her family had faced severe consequences because of her son’s alleged association with the Khawarij. She claimed that their house was demolished and set on fire, while the family was repeatedly subjected to allegations, raids, and detentions.
The grieving mother revealed that, in an attempt to escape the pressure and insecurity, the family migrated to Karachi. However, due to rising living expenses and an inability to afford rent, they were forced to return to Bannu.
During the press conference, Amina Bibi also highlighted the impact the situation has had on her grandchildren, particularly on their education and emotional wellbeing. Pointing towards her young grandson, she said the child’s education had been repeatedly disrupted because the family was forced to move from one place to another.
“We admit him to one school and then another. His education is suffering continuously. If he is deprived of education, what kind of future will he have?” she asked emotionally.
Amina Bibi appealed to the authorities not to punish the entire family for the alleged actions of one individual. She urged the government and security institutions to allow her family to live peacefully and with dignity.
“We want peace. We do not want this country to suffer, women to become widows, or children to become orphans,” she said. “The people of Bannu are like our own family. We only want to live a peaceful life without fear and humiliation.”
The press conference highlighted the humanitarian and social challenges faced by families whose relatives become associated with the Khawarij, particularly in conflict-affected regions where communities often remain trapped between militancy, suspicion, and economic hardship.
