Several political parties in Bajaur district held a protest on 27 October against insecurity in the tribal districts and alleged mistreatment of civilians during ongoing military operations. The demonstration brought together representatives from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl), Awami National Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and other local groups.
Speakers said the state must protect citizens both from militants and from its own security forces. They urged the government to ensure that counterterrorism operations do not harm innocent people.
Awami National Party leader and provincial assembly member from Bajaur, Nisar Baz, called on both the provincial and federal governments to stop what he described as the army’s harassment of civilians. He said attacks in Mamund and Charmang areas, along with shelling incidents, have created fear among locals. According to him, the two governments hold the constitutional authority to restrain the military establishment from attacking civilians.
Administrative and security officials in Bajaur said the operations specifically target militants and that protecting civilian lives and property remains a top priority. They said similar appeals have been made from other tribal regions.
On 27 October, elders of the Momand Khel tribe in Bannu held a jirga demanding security for residents. They urged the government to prevent civilian casualties and property losses during anti-militant operations.
Chief Minister Voices Concern
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s newly elected Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi, raised similar concerns a day earlier during a public gathering in Bara. He said civilians had already suffered in previous operations and that he would not support another military offensive. According to Afridi, his party has long led peace movements, informing the state that people cannot continue giving sacrifices indefinitely.
Afridi claimed preparations for another operation were still underway despite protests. He alleged that jet aircraft were carrying out bombings and that more than twenty civilians lost their lives in an airstrike in Tirah. When people protested such incidents, he said, security forces fired directly at them.
Residents in Baka Khel, Jani Khel, Lakki Marwat, and Waziristan also held protests and jirgas. They demanded peace and accountability, accusing security agencies of failing to take consistent action against militants. Locals said this failure has allowed insecurity to persist across the region.
The federal government and Pakistan Army have not yet responded to the Chief Minister’s recent statements. Both have previously said they remain committed to restoring peace and will not allow militants to challenge state authority. Officials reiterated that operations in the tribal districts aim to eliminate militant groups while minimizing civilian harm.
They added that every effort is being made to prevent civilian casualties and that protecting public safety remains the government’s top priority.
