Cattle traders in Bannu staged a protest on Sunday at the Miryakhel cattle market, expressing their anger over the alleged killing of a fellow trader by police in Lakki Marwat district, according to Dawn. The demonstrators gathered in the morning, demanding the dismissal of a terrorism-related case filed against the deceased and calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Protesters, including Malik Dil Faraz Khan, Akbar Nawaz Khan, Munawar Khan, and Saadullah, claimed that Serai Gambila police had shot dead cattle trader Asif Ali, branding him a terrorist. They explained that Asif, along with his father, Abdul Sattar, frequently visited the market for business. The incident occurred on the night of December 23 when Asif, returning home after watching a kabaddi match, was signaled to stop by the police. Frightened, he attempted to flee, which led to the police chasing and killing him.
The traders also noted that this incident sparked protests in Lakki Marwat. They called on provincial police authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and withdraw the FIR filed against him under various sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Pakistan Penal Code.
Meanwhile, during the oath-taking ceremony for the paramedical staff association on Sunday, a health worker pointed out that the shortage of doctors in Lakki Marwat’s public hospitals was severely impacting healthcare in rural areas, with over two dozen health units operating without physicians. The event, which saw the swearing-in of new association officers, was attended by notable figures, including former PTI MPA Malik Noor Saleem Khan, who emphasized the critical role of paramedics in healthcare delivery despite the doctor shortage. He also urged the government to permit paramedics to work privately in rural areas outside their official hours.
Saleem highlighted the southern region’s underdevelopment and voiced his commitment to bringing sustainable development to the area, urging paramedics to serve with integrity and dedication to the community.
