Bannu peace committee agrees to no protests as talks with police conclude

Bannu peace committee agrees to no protests as discussions with police conclude.

Key points

• Muhammad Waseem Khan Published August 30, 2026 Updated August 30, 2026 09: 38pm.
• The MNA affirmed that the 2.2 million individuals of Bannu and Lakki Marwat stood with the Police Peace Committee.
• Earlier this week, Police Peace Committee President Hazratullah objected to the transfer of seven Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police constables to other districts.
• In Lakki Marwat, the Police Peace Committee concluded its four-day protest after discussions with the Bannu RPO in the presence of Marwat.
• BANNU: Successful discussions between the Police Peace Committee and police office-holders concluded on Sunday, with the former submitting an 11-point written assurance.

Muhammad Waseem Khan Published August 30, 2026 Updated August 30, 2026 09: 38pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

BANNU: Successful discussions between the Police Peace Committee and police office-holders concluded on Sunday, with the former submitting an 11-point written assurance. It outlines a code of conduct for committee members.

Under the assurance, submitted to the regional police officer (RPO) and district police officer (DPO), peace committee members will not participate in protests, strikes, sit-ins or political activities and will perform their duties within the framework of the law.

According to the written assurance, no committee member will arrest any person without legal authority. Action against individuals wanted in terrorism or other serious cases will be taken through the relevant law enforcement agencies, particularly the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

Committee members will cooperate with the army, Frontier Corps (FC), CTD and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) only on the directions of authorised authorities.

According to The assurance additionally, members will refrain from exceeding their authority and engaging in unlawful activities, while accepting legal action in case of any violation of the code.

Notably, the discussions were held at Bannu Police Lines and were attended by RPO Bannu Abdul Ghafoor Afridi, MNA Maulana Syed Naseem Ali Shah, MNA Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, MPA Malik Pakhtunyar Khan and other local elders.

During the discussions, estranged PTI leader Marwat expressed reservations over the transfers of Police Peace Committee members, saying that instead of transferring them, authorities should examine why the committee was formed in the first place and what circumstances compelled police personnel to take such a step.

Earlier this week, Police Peace Committee President Hazratullah objected to the transfer of seven Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police constables to other districts. He called on the personnel to boycott their duties, resulting in disruptions to police services and the traffic system in a number of areas.

For context, the MNA affirmed that the 2.2 million individuals of Bannu and Lakki Marwat stood with the Police Peace Committee. He remarked sacrifices in the region had created hope among the residents and that the situation was gradually improving.

He pressed authorities to avoid steps that could undermine the committee's role, warning that if weakening the committee resulted in terrorists becoming active again, the responsibility would rest with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general.

He pressed Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, KP IG Zulfiqar Hameed and the chief secretary to resolve matters concerning the Police Peace Committee through consultation at the local level and to take all stakeholders into confidence on matters relating to peace and security.

Meanwhile, MNA Shah pressed the formation of district-level empowered committees for future decisions concerning the police in Bannu and Lakki Marwat, saying that decisions should not be imposed without local consultation.

According to MPA Pakhtunyar, he stood with the police and the Police Peace Committee, adding that if any attempt was created to create obstacles in their way or undermine their role, he would stand firmly with both the police and the committee.

Meanwhile, in Lakki Marwat, the Police Peace Committee concluded its four-day protest after discussions with the Bannu RPO in the presence of Marwat. During the negotiations, assurances were given for the recovery of an abducted police official. This person was subsequently recovered.

For context, the discussions additionally covered the cancellation of transfers of certain police personnel and local elders, provision of modern equipment to the police and improvement of security arrangements.

It has additionally been decided to seek FC's services for the security of sensitive locations in Bannu and Lakki Marwat.

Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack against the backdrop of a broader surge in militant violence.

On August 10, a police constable was martyred when unidentified armed men opened fire on him in the district's Sorani area.

Notably, the same day, the district police, CTD and security forces conducted a joint operation in the jurisdiction of the Miryan police station, leading to the killing of an unidentified terrorist and the arrest of 10 suspected individuals.

Days afterwards, the police and security forces maintained to have killed five terrorists and injured a number of others during a joint intelligence-based operation in parts of Domel tehsil.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based think tank, violence linked to terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations intensified sharply in July, making it the deadliest month of 2026, with 112 security personnel among 205 individuals killed.

Taken together, the developments around bannu peace committee agrees to no protests as talks with police conclude point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.