PESHAWAR: A police protest in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has entered its 28th day, with Circle DSP Malik Mazhar Afridi issuing a deadline to the provincial government to address the protesters’ demands.
The development comes amid criticism over Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s reported visit to Lahore, while police personnel in his home district of Khyber continue their protest.
In a video message, DSP Malik Mazhar Afridi said police personnel had been staging a sit-in over their demands and that several people, including representatives of the police department and the chief minister’s brother, had visited the protesters and held talks with them.
Afridi alleged that the other side had violated an understanding by bringing unrelated individuals to the protest venue. He said police officials and SHOs in Khyber were also aware of the situation.
Afridi said protesters had repeatedly approached the CCPO and DPO, urging them to remove the individuals from the protest site.
He announced that they would once again approach the DPO and CCPO at 11 am the following morning, demanding immediate action.
According to Afridi, if the SP Khyber and other relevant authorities fail to act by the deadline and do not comply with their demands, protesters will move to shut down the relevant police offices.
He warned that police officers could lock their offices and forcibly remove the officials if their demands were not accepted.
Afridi said no jirga had so far visited the protesters or provided a clear response. He claimed officials had repeatedly assured them that a response would be given later, but no concrete answer had been received.
Afridi also addressed police personnel from Orakzai, calling on them to stand with their community and explain their alleged involvement in the situation.
He accused some individuals of violating agreements and causing problems at the protest venue and on the main highway. He said he would approach the Orakzai community and seek action against those allegedly responsible.
The DSP also claimed that thousands of personnel associated with Orakzai Police and the former FATA force supported their position.
He called on DSPs and SHOs from Orakzai to appear at the protest site by 11am and present a reasonable explanation or solution. Otherwise, he said, protesters would proceed to Orakzai between noon and 2pm to press for their rights.
