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Pakistan: Police Protests in Lakki Marwat Spark Alarm Among Lawmakers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Lakki Marwat, Pakistan — Tensions are rising in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province as police officers in the district of Lakki Marwat stage protests in response to escalating militant attacks and inadequate security provisions. The demonstration, now in its second day, has garnered significant attention from provincial lawmakers, who have called the situation “alarming” and urged immediate government intervention.
The protests were triggered by repeated terrorist assaults targeting law enforcement personnel in Lakki Marwat, a district that has seen a surge in militant activity in recent years. Police officers have demanded urgent action, including the closure of a vulnerable police station in the remote Braagi area, the withdrawal of intelligence personnel from police lines, and the reinstatement of the Police Union. Protesters have expanded their demonstration by blocking the Indus Highway, a major artery in the region.
Members of the KP Assembly raised concerns over the unrest during a recent legislative session. Speaker Babar Salim Swati described the protests as an “alarming situation” and stressed the need for the provincial government to immediately address the officers’ demands. Swati highlighted the importance of clarifying the roles of provincial and federal institutions, particularly regarding security and budget allocations.
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Adnan Wazir, a Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) party, echoed these concerns, stating, “The situation has spiraled out of control. It has reached the point where police officers are sitting in protest for their own protection.” He urged the provincial government to take swift action to ensure the safety of law enforcement personnel.
The Speaker called on the Home Department to investigate the issue and provide updates to the assembly, noting that the lack of trust between provincial and federal institutions was contributing to the crisis.
In response to a question from the Speaker, Law Minister Aftab Alam acknowledged that while a committee had been formed to address certain regional issues, the police protests had not yet been formally addressed. The Speaker pressed for immediate action from the Home Department to prevent further escalation.
Opposition members, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Dr. Amjad, also criticized the government’s response, stating, “We have been standing for two years, but the situation is worsening. The police are now protesting for their own safety, and this cannot be ignored.”
The protests come amid a broader backdrop of increasing militant activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which shares a long and porous border with Afghanistan. Law enforcement officers in the region frequently face threats from extremist groups, and the security of police personnel has become a critical issue in recent years.
As the protests continue, pressure mounts on the provincial government to address the demands of the police officers and restore a sense of security and order in Lakki Marwat. If left unresolved, the unrest could further destabilize the region, raising concerns about the government’s ability to protect its own law enforcement personnel.
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