• Jirga members will meet Chief Minister Gandapur today and discuss a 16-point agenda
• Tarar accused the party of orchestrating violence at the rally and claimed “firing by PTI cadres” led to the crowd going berserk.
PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD: While the provincial government blamed “miscreants” for the violence that claimed at least one life during a peace rally in Bannu last week, the federal government on Sunday held the PTI, which governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, responsible for the unrest.
The 40-member jirga, formed to settle the situation after a peace rally in Bannu was marred by violence, is scheduled to meet KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur today (Monday) to convey people’s concerns.
However, at a weekend press conference, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that some PTI members had opened fire during the rally and that several people were injured when the crowd went berserk.
In a press note issued on Sunday, the KP provincial interior department said a 40-member jirga negotiated with local administration bodies including commissioner, deputy commissioner, regional police officer and district police officer and presented a 16-point agenda.
“These points are currently being actively considered and whatever can be resolved and agreed at the commissioner/administrative level will be implemented as soon as possible,” the statement said.
The statement recalled two incidents that rocked Bannu last week – a terrorist attack on a garrison that killed eight security personnel and three civilians, and a brawl at a peace rally that left at least one person dead and more than 20 injured.
The KP provincial government expressed “deep shock and anguish” over the two incidents, saying in a statement that on July 19 “a rally of the trade community and political leaders and workers of various political parties and other organisations concluded peacefully at Priti Gate in Bannu city. The participants then proceeded to the Sports Complex.”
However, the paper noted that “thugs dressed as protesters hurled stones at the security forces’ supply base, set fire to tents erected in place of the destroyed base’s walls and opened fire with small arms. Police were deployed to the scene to assess the situation and tried their best to remove them from the dangerous area.”
According to a press note, on July 20, KP Chief Minister Gandapur instructed lawmakers to negotiate with protest leaders and called for a formal investigation into the incident.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Jirga and urge the people to have faith in their elected representatives, civil administration, police and security agencies and not allow the national and public enemies of Pakistan to exploit such a delicate situation. We further urge the people not to pay attention to any negative propaganda and lies. Let us all move forward towards ensuring peace and prosperity of our motherland,” the statement concluded.
Tarar slams PTI
But Tarar did not mince words when telling reporters in Islamabad that the PTI is always “looking for bodies to gain public sympathy”.
The minister rejected the inquiry committee set up by the PTI-led government in KP province, alleging that “they hatched a conspiracy and tried to shift the blame for the incident onto the security agencies.”
They upload photos of children from other countries on social media and claim that people have been martyred by direct fire from security forces.
He alleged that the PTI, like other political parties, had also taken part in a peaceful rally and that some of its members had opened fire during the rally, causing the crowd to go berserk and leaving many injured.
He alleged that a malicious campaign has been launched on social media spreading false and fabricated narratives in Bannu and that the PTI is bent on spreading chaos and anarchy to destabilise the country.
Tarar also slammed PTI founder Imran Khan for resettling terrorists in the country, saying, “You have always been an apologist for the Taliban… You have been a sympathiser of the Taliban…”
On a possible move to ban the party, he said the ruling alliance would hold talks on the matter.
Gandapur Statement
In a video message issued on Sunday night, KP Chief Minister Gandapur said he would meet local elders on Monday to discuss the Bannu issue, adding that he would address people’s concerns and meet their expectations.
He, however, said that during the first meeting of the Supreme Committee, it was noted that armed men posing as government officials or claiming to represent government agencies were roaming the area and interfering with government business.
He said he also conveyed to the forum that the people of the state, the police and the government had serious concerns about the matter.
Amin also said he had ordered police to immediately arrest any such persons.
Published in Dawn on July 22, 2024
