KP govt announces formation of commission for ‘transparent’ investigation into the outbreak of violence at a peace rally in Bannu
PESHAWAR, July 20 (SABAH): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Saturday announced the formation of a commission for a “transparent” investigation into the outbreak of violence at a peace rally in Bannu a day earlier, the provincial spokesperson said.
The development comes a day after the civilians were killed in a firing incident during a protest rally in Bannu district against the worsening law and order. The protest was staged on the call of the trader community, where a complete shutter-down strike was observed. They were demanding action against the armed groups operating in the city and its adjoining areas. Many people were also injured due to the stampede.
Meanwhile, the PTI core committee strongly condemned the violence in Bannu and “directed” its provincial government in KP to hold a transparent inquiry and punish those involved in the deaths of innocent people.
In a statement on X today, KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif said the situation in Bannu was under control while security was on high alert in “sensitive areas”.
He further stated that KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had announced the formation of a commission to probe the incident. “The commission will conduct an impartial investigation and submit a report. Legal action will be taken after determining the role of the accused,” Saif said.
He also requested the public to exercise extreme caution in the wake of the “rising wave of terrorism”, adding that anti-state elements should not be given a chance to spoil peace in the province.
Moreover, Saif urged the public to wait for the commission’s report and avoid spreading unverified information or indulging in “negative propaganda”.
Meanwhile, residents staged a sit-in outside the Bannu Police Line Chowk — located opposite the main entrance of the cantonment — to press the government to investigate the firing incident.
Organisers of the sit-in, Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Nasir Khan Bangash, Ghulam Qibaz Khan and Abdul Rauf Qureshi, delivered speeches at the gathering.
“We had staged a rally for peace yesterday and will do the same again and again,” one of the speakers said. “We do not accept the office of any armed group in Bannu,” he added.
Another speaker said those responsible for maintaining peace should fulfil their responsibilities.
The participants of the sit-in also complained that local authorities had shut down mobile networks and internet services after the firing. They added that Wi-Fi and landline phone systems were also suspended on Friday, causing problems for the public.