Tariq Saeed Peshawar
Sporadic incidents of firing led to stampede during a Peace March in restive Bannu district on Friday which left around half a dozen people dead and a large number of others seriously wounded. Thousands of people were protesting against the rising incidents of terrorism in Bannu. While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister of Public Health, Pakhtoon Yar Khan, narrowly escaped a bullet during the incident, a rescue vehicle was also damaged.
According to reports reaching here from Bannu, tens of thousands of people took to the streets on Friday to protest against terrorism and deteriorating law and order situation in the region.
The demonstrators observed a wheel jam strike, leading to the shutdown of all government offices as part of their protest against terrorism and the potential for a military operation in the area.
Videos circulating on social media platforms, including X and Facebook, showed thousands of people taking to the streets carrying white flags, a symbol of peace, and chanting slogans against terrorism.
As the participants of the Peace March were voicing their concerns over the worsening law and order situation in the area, and demanded that the government take immediate measures to restore peace and security in the region, unknown people resorted to indiscriminate firing that led to stampede among the protestors as dozens fell victim.
The rescue teams shifted the victims to the District Headquarters Hospital where the medics pronounced six people dead. The death toll is feared to go higher as the doctors termed the condition of many wounded persons as critical.
PTI leaders and MNA from Lakki Marwat, an adjacent district of Bannu SherAfzalMarwat has strongly condemned the firing on the participants of Peace March.
“Watching videos, I feel deep sorrow, and condemn the recent shootings against peaceful protestors in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is disheartening to witness such brutality inflicted upon innocent Pakistanis, exercising their fundamental right to peaceful protest. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have tragically lost their lives, and I pray for the families’ strength and solace during this difficult time. Albeit, it is imperative that these occurrences are halted, resolved with urgency and justice, however to do so, and in the face of such oppression, collective agitation and steadfast resistance are much needed to bring the revolution in Pakistan once for all,” Sher Afzal Marwat said on his official X handle.
