Pakistan: Distressed by rising terrorism, people are protesting in South Waziristan, 8000 shops closed

Protesters sitting in South Waziristan blocked roads after talks between their leaders and the local administration failed. Tuesday was the fifth day of the ongoing strike in Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan. The strike has been called by the Waziristan Aman Olasi Pasoon (Waziristan Peace Public Movement). They demand that peace be restored in the district which has been facing repeated terror attacks. After the talks failed, the protesters put barricades on the road to affect the traffic. More than 8000 shops remained closed in Wana due to the protest.

'Government is not listening to demands'

Waziristan Peace Public Movement chief Imran Mukhlis said during the press conference that the talks with the administration have been going on for the last five days, but it has not reached any result. We want to convey this message to the International Human Rights Organization that we want peace in our country. However, he said the government was not bothering to listen to their demands.

'Administration has agreed to accept some demands'

Mukhlis say that we are begging for peace from the institutions of the country. We want peace and better law and order in our area. Many of our attempts to hold talks with the administration have failed. He told that the administration has accepted some of the demands of the protesters.

These include induction of FCs with police patrol duties, expediting construction of police stations and setting up of new police posts. Mukhlis says that despite long talks with the authorities, the Waziristan Peace Public Movement's Negotiation Committee believes that the administration is unable to use its constitutional and legal powers to meet the demands of the tribal people. 

Common people are also demonstrating

In South Waziristan, there is resentment among the people regarding the rise of militancy and lack of law and order in the recent past. The protest against it is gaining momentum fast. Apart from common citizens, all the political parties of Pakistan are also participating in this demonstration.