Authorities ban gatherings in five districts of KP for 30 days, citing law and order situation

BANNU/BAJAUR/LAKKI MARWAT/SWABI: The district administrations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu, Bajaur, Lakki Marwat, Swabi and Tank on Sunday imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for a month, banning public gatherings and several other activities amid the prevailing law and order situation.

Three of the five districts — Bannu, Bajaur and Tank — are among the 12 districts that were deemed to face intense security challenges and special emergency measures were imposed there.

In Bajaur, the district administration prohibited all kinds of political gatherings, “hate speech” against the state and the display of arms and weapons for 30 days.

The notification formalising the restriction, seen by Dawn, said Bajaur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Adnan Farid Afridi approved the restrictions in view of the law and order situation, citing the need for additional measures to safeguard public life and property and maintain peace.

The notification further stated that law enforcement agencies were required to remain more vigilant to avert any “unpleasant mishaps” while also enhancing security at the district’s entry and exit points and discouraging and disallowing “unauthorised gatherings” in public places.

“Sufficient grounds exist to believe that immediate preventive measures are required to be taken,” the notification added.

The notification stated that the order would come into force on Nov 15 (Sunday) and remain in effect until Dec 15, unless modified or withdrawn.

It warned that anyone found violating the order would be punished under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

In October, authorities banned pillion riding in Bajaur for 10 days, citing the security situation back then as well.

Bannu ban includes tinted vehicle windows

Section 144 was also imposed in Bannu for the same period of time, according to a separate notification.

Bannu DC Ziaur Rehman imposed various restrictions across the district, including pillion riding, use of tinted vehicle windows, display of weapons, protest gatherings, use of loudspeakers on roads, and setting up tents or creating obstructions on public roads and other public places.

According to the notification, the order was similarly imposed “in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the area”. It noted that “public gatherings and processions are likely to disturb the free movement of the general public, disrupt traffic, peace, tranquillity, and affect the maintenance of law and order”.

JUI-F protest defies Swabi ban

Meanwhile, in Swabi, DC Nasrullah Khan imposed a ban on public gatherings, assemblies, processions, rallies, marches and demonstrations for one month with immediate effect.

The order, dated Sunday, said the preventive measures had become “imperative” to maintain public order and safeguard the lives, safety and security of the general public.

It contended that such gatherings “may expose the general public to serious security risks, endanger human lives and public property, and create opportunities for untoward incidents, thereby disrupting public peace and tranquillity”.

“It is, therefore, necessary to impose appropriate preventive restrictions in the larger public interest to avert any potential threat to human life and property,” the order read. It added that such activities would not be allowed without prior permission of the DC.

Despite the imposition of the ban, workers of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a protest at Karnal Sher Khan Chowk against “propaganda” aimed at the party leadership.

Pillion riding also barred in Lakki Marwat

In Lakki Marwat, DC Shahid Rafique imposed a month-long ban on public gatherings, processions, rallies, assemblies and marches within the district’s territorial limits.

The order, a copy of which is available with Dawn, also prohibited the display, carrying and possession of all kinds of weapons, pillion riding, and setting up tents or temporary structures and other obstructions on public roads and highways in a manner likely to disturb traffic and public movement.

According to the order, the restrictions were imposed at the request of the district police officer, who had apprehended that such activities could obstruct public movement, disrupt public services and traffic, and disturb peace and tranquillity.

The restrictions will remain in force until Dec 13, unless withdrawn or modified. The notification warned that violators would be dealt with “sternly” under the law.

Tank ban; exams postponed in North Waziristan

In Tank, DC Jamshed Khan issued a notification announcing the restrictions on public gatherings, rallies, and processions, according to state broadcaster Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

“A ban has also been imposed on pillion riding on motorcycles and the display of weapons,” APP reported, adding that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the restrictions.

Additionally, the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) in Bannu has postponed the Intermediate Annual-II Examinations 2026 across North Waziristan on the directions of the DC, also citing the prevailing law and order situation. According to the board’s notification, a revised examination schedule will be announced later.

However, examinations at centres located along Miranshah Road in Bakakhel will continue as per the original schedule.

KP has been witnessing terrorist attacks and security challenges for a long time.

Last month, a police officer was martyred after terrorists attacked a police post in KP’s Bajaur.

On Friday, the military’s media affairs wing said 74 terrorists had been killed in intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in KP and Balochistan. It said 43 terrorists were killed during operations conducted over 48 hours in KP, including 35 in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali and eight in Orakzai district. Another 31 terrorists were killed in Balochistan during an operation launched on Nov 3.

The next day, it said four troops, including a major, were martyred while 24 terrorists were killed in multiple IBOs in Balochistan and KP’s North Waziristan.