A mosque imam from Bannu’s Domel area has publicly announced complete disassociation from his son, Abdul Samad, alleging that he joined a banned terrorist organization and rebelled against his family.
Speaking in a recorded statement alongside his other sons, Maulana Sher Muhammad, imam of Akbar Ali Khan Mosque in Domel, said the family had already formally severed ties with Abdul Samad and informed police and authorities through written affidavits and public declarations.
“I am Maulana Sher Muhammad, imam of Akbar Ali Khan Mosque in Domel. I publicly announce disassociation from my son Abdul Samad due to his disobedience and rebellion against the family,” he said.
The cleric stated that neither he nor the rest of the family members had maintained any contact with Abdul Samad for nearly a year and insisted the family should not be held responsible for his alleged actions.
“We have already submitted declarations to newspapers, on stamp paper, and to police authorities. We have not seen him for the past year,” he added.
He further stated that the government and law enforcement agencies must proceed against his son under the law. “Whatever action the state wants to take against him, it should proceed. We fully permit the police and government to take legal action,” he said.
The imam noted that despite publicly distancing themselves from Abdul Samad, the family had still faced difficulties and pressure. However, he acknowledged that local police had treated them appropriately.
The development reflects a growing trend in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Bannu and surrounding districts, where families have increasingly begun publicly disowning relatives allegedly involved in terrorist organizations in an effort to avoid harassment and demonstrate loyalty to the state.
In another recent incident in Bannu, a Saudi Arabia-returned man, accompanied by his mother, publicly announced complete disassociation from his brother, who was allegedly involved in anti-state activities. The family declared its loyalty to Pakistan and insisted they would never facilitate terrorist elements or activities against the state.
Similarly, another case from Bannu earlier this year involved a father publicly severing ties with his son after the latter allegedly joined a banned extremist organization. Such declarations have become increasingly visible amid intensified counterterrorism operations and scrutiny of support networks linked to terrorist groups in the region.
Security officials have repeatedly maintained that terrorist organizations, including the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), exploit familial, tribal, and local networks for concealment and facilitation, prompting authorities to encourage communities to cooperate against the terrorists.
