Citizens in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have expressed serious concern over the ongoing protest by members of the Bannu Police Peace Committee, accusing the protesting personnel of creating difficulties for the public by blocking roads, refusing transfer orders and reportedly declining to wear their uniforms.
Speaking about the protest, a citizen from Dera Ismail Khan said that blocking the Indus Highway in Bannu was completely wrong and was causing severe hardship to the public.
“If these people are supposed to establish peace, how can they do so by creating problems for the public?” he questioned, adding that the protesters had blocked roads for their own interests while ordinary people were suffering.
The citizen urged the government to take immediate action against those responsible for disrupting public movement.
Another Dera Ismail Khan resident said the situation in Bannu was already evident to everyone, particularly after the protesting personnel rejected transfer orders issued by the authorities.
He questioned whether refusing a transfer was compatible with government service, saying that transfers and postings were a normal part of employment, particularly in a force such as the police.
He also raised questions over the reported refusal by some personnel to wear police uniforms.
“Why are they moving around in plain clothes?” he asked, adding that their presence in civilian clothing while carrying weapons was creating fear among the people.
He further questioned where the protesters were receiving support, saying that they were receiving government salaries and benefits but were allegedly refusing to perform their duties and instead taking matters into their own hands.
A resident commenting on the situation in Lakki Marwat said the issue began after the Inspector General of Police ordered the transfer of several police personnel, who subsequently refused to comply with the orders.
He termed the refusal to follow the orders and the reported refusal to wear uniforms inappropriate, while also criticizing the closure of the Indus Highway as part of the protest.
He said the road blockade was causing serious difficulties for commuters, students, patients travelling to hospitals and their attendants.
The resident appealed to the protesting police personnel to comply with the orders of their superior authorities and end the disruption being caused to the public.
A senior citizen said the situation in Bannu was particularly alarming because those responsible for opening roads had themselves blocked them.
He warned that anything could happen in an area where traffic had been stopped and vehicles were being prevented from moving.
He said that if the personnel believed their transfers were unjustified, they should pursue legal and administrative channels instead of causing hardship to the public.
A young resident also criticized the situation in Lakki Marwat and Bannu, saying that government employees, particularly members of a police force, could not be expected to refuse orders from their superiors.
He said the protests had already contributed to worsening conditions in Lakki Marwat and warned that the situation could deteriorate further if the protest continued.
He appealed to the protesting personnel to wear their uniforms, return to their duties and play their role in maintaining peace not only in their districts but across the region.
A trader also questioned the conduct of the Police Peace Committee members, saying that the system could not function if committee personnel refused to wear uniforms or insisted that police or army personnel should not enter their area.
He said that if the committee continued to refuse to comply, authorities would have to reconsider whether the word “peace” was still appropriate in its name.
The trader further warned that any activity undermining the state and public order could not be allowed to continue under the banner of a peace committee.
The citizens collectively called for the authorities to address the situation and ensure that public roads remain open, police personnel comply with official orders and normal life is not disrupted by the ongoing protest.
