Miranshah:
A powerful and unprecedented protest was developed in the tribal district of Waziristan del Norte on Friday when thousands of tribe members took to the streets to oppose a potential military operation in the region. The protest reached its maximum point in Mir Ali, one of the most important cities in the area, where protesters offered Friday prayers in the congregation in a two -kilometer section of the main road, effectively closing commercial activity and sending a strong political message.
The protest, much more than a religious meeting, served as a peaceful public referendum but forceful against what the locals see how the destructive policies of the government. With closed stores and the “unaccuted operation” of the slogan resonating throughout the area, marked a significant moment of political consciousness, public unity and resistance.
Leading the sentences and the protest was Jamiat Ulema-E-Islam (f) Mna MUFTI MISBAHUDDIN, who declared during his sermon: “This prayer is the peaceful rejection of the nation of any possible operation. We are defending the protection of our homes, lands, markets and children. No power can move again.” He added that tribal communities had established peace in the past and will not accept “devastation in the name of peace” again.
MUFTI BAITULLAH, speaking on behalf of the Tribal Council of Utmanzai, announced three key decisions:
If a military operation is launched in any village, the entire population will leave their homes in protest.
Pacific manifestations will be made throughout the region, urging people not to leave their homes.
Stores and houses will not be abandoned under any circumstance.
Cities merchants, including Miranshah, Mir Ali, Khaddi, Harmuz, Hassu Khel and EPI expressed their frustration, saying that the damage of the ZARB-E-AZB 2014 operation have not yet been compensated.
Haji Gul Muhammad, a local merchant, said: “We rebuild our loans, we restart business from scratch, but every few months we listen to another operation. Our lives are trapped in uncertainty.” He recalled how women were forced to live for months in open fields, schools and campaign camps during the last displacement. “This time, if they come, we will not leave. We will sit in front of them.”
After Zarb-E-Aazb, more than 7,500 stores in Miranshah and more than 800 in Mir Ali were completely destroyed. More than 2,000 homes suffered partial or complete damage, and commercial goods worth millions of rupees were lost due to looting or fire.
The old Tribal Nisar Ali Khan revealed that they have been informed of the preparations for an “authorization operation” in certain areas. “We will not be silent this time,” he warned, pointing out past incidents of forced displacement, extrajudicial arrests and human rights violations during military operations. “Today, the people in northern Waziristan have told the world that they are peaceful, but they will not offer more sacrifices. His patience has exhausted.” He warned that if the government ignores the voice of the public, the future tribal resistance can be intensified, not only in the streets, but also within the legal and political frameworks.
This mass protest occurs in the middle of a backdrop of the increase in violence in the region, including skirmishes between security forces and terrorists, the bombings on the road and the multiple suicidal attacks. The locals believe that these incidents are being used as a pretext to launch a new military campaign.
