By Staff Reporter
PESHAWAR: Authorities in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday imposed a three-day curfew in parts of Bajaur district, starting today and lasting until August 14, to ensure public safety during an ongoing military operation against militants, officials said.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department announced the curfew, effective from 11:00 am Monday to 11:00 am Thursday, August 14, in multiple areas of Lowi Mamund tehsil, including Laghari, Guati, Ghanam Shah, Bad Siya, Kamar, Amanta, Zagai, Gut, Gunde, Gadigal, Niag Kali, Rigi, Daag, Damadola, Sultan Beg, Chautra, Shenkot, Gang, Jeewar, Inam Khoro, Chengai, Anga, Safri, Bar Gatki, Kharki, Shukro, and Bakro. Major roads, including Khar Munda Road, Khar Navagi Road, Khar Pusht Salarzai Road, and Khar Sadiqabad Inayat Kalay Road, were also declared off-limits.
“A complete curfew will be imposed … in which movement on the roads and leaving houses will be prohibited,” the department’s statement said, urging residents to complete their activities by 10:30 am and return home to avoid “any untoward incident.”
The curfew comes as part of ‘Operation Sarbakaf’, launched by security forces at the end of July with the support of gunship helicopters and artillery to combat militants in the region. The operation was briefly paused following a ceasefire agreement to allow dialogue between militant commanders and the Bajaur peace jirga, but the talks collapsed, prompting the resumption of military action.
Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif dismissed rumours of a province-wide curfew, clarifying that restrictions were limited to specific areas in Bajaur and Miranshah. “Rumours of a curfew across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are completely false,” Saif said in a statement. “Life in the province is going on as usual.”
Saif accused political groups of spreading misinformation to undermine the province’s stability. “News of a curfew is political propaganda and an attempt to mislead the public,” he said. “The rumour-mongering mafia wants to spoil the province’s journey of peace and development.” He urged residents to rely on official sources and warned that action would be taken against those spreading false information on social media.
The operation and curfew have displaced residents, with Khar Assistant Commissioner Dr Sadiq Ali confirming that 100 government schools and colleges are currently housing those affected. “Right now, we have 435 schools. More than 100 private schools are also vacant,” Dr Ali said. He added that a registration process for displaced persons is underway through the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).
The situation has sparked political controversy. In a speech to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly on Monday, Awami National Party Member of the Provincial Assembly Nisar Baz Khan questioned the authority behind the curfew and the operation. “At midnight, the provincial home department ordered that curfew be imposed across Bajaur. Is the home department under the provincial government or not? If so, who imposed this curfew and under what authority?” he asked.
Khan highlighted the plight of displaced residents. “On the one hand, millions of people are homeless and on the streets, with no place to hide, and on the other hand, the government is blocking their routes by imposing a curfew. If there is no transport arrangement, how will people leave?”
He demanded clarity on whether the operation was authorised by the provincial chief minister or the prime minister, calling for an immediate halt to the operation, the lifting of the curfew, and emergency relief for internally displaced persons.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
