Gandapur bars DCs from imposing curfew without prior approval

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has barred all deputy commissioners (DCs) from imposing curfew or Section 144 without prior permission from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur issued strict instructions to all DCs. He said no restrictions must be imposed without the home department’s approval.

It merits mentioning that yesterday the Deputy Commissioner Bajaur had imposed a curfew for three days in 16 villages of Tehsil Loi Mamond Bajaur in view of launching a targeted operation against militants.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the PTI parliamentary party held late Tuesday night at the Chief Minister’s House. CM Gandapur chaired the meeting, which discussed the overall security situation in the province.

Talking to the media after the meeting, CM Gandapur said the government stands by the decisions taken at the All Parties Conference (APC). He said preparations are underway to implement those decisions at the official level.

He expressed deep sorrow over the Bajaur incident and said the loss of innocent lives had shaken public trust. “We cannot win the war against terrorism without the people’s support,” he said.

Read more: Bajaur under curfew as security forces launch anti-militant operation

The chief minister also said that security personnel were like “our own children”, but their sacrifices were going unnoticed due to current policies. He stressed the need for reviewing these policies.

To restore peace in the merged districts, Gandapur announced that local jirgas will be held within 10 days. These will include tribal elders, elected representatives, and all stakeholders. A grand jirga will be held after the local consultations. Recommendations from these sessions will shape a new plan, which will be shared with security institutions for possible changes in the current policy.

Gandapur further said he had serious concerns about the use of “Action in Aid of Civil Power”. He added that a detailed debate will be held in the provincial assembly on August 1 to decide whether the measure is beneficial or harmful.

A separate high-level meeting on law and order was held earlier, chaired by the chief minister. It was attended by the chief secretary, inspector general of police, and other senior officials. They briefed CM Gandapur on the Bajaur attack and overall security challenges.

He announced Rs10 million compensation for each family of those martyred in the Bajaur incident. Injured persons will receive Rs2.5 million each.

Read more: Pakistan Army determined to root out terrorism: Field Marshal