KP government denies military operation in Bannu during assembly session

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government told the provincial assembly on Monday that no military operation was under way in Bannu district, even as a ruling PTI lawmaker said an offensive had been continuing there for the last four days, along with a curfew and suspension of mobile phone services.

During the sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Suriyya Bibi, Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi said the cellular network may have been shut in a specific area for an intelligence-based operation against militants, rather than across the whole district. However, treasury member Pakhtoon Yar Khan disputed the minister’s account and said home department officials had not shared the correct facts with him. He told the house that the deputy commissioner had imposed a curfew and had also posted that decision on social media.

Earlier, Pakhtoon Yar Khan said the situation in Bannu had created immense difficulties for local residents and asked the provincial government to explain whether it had been taken into confidence over any action against militants. He also said the PTI government had consistently opposed military operations in the province. Referring to the party founder, he added that if the provincial government was on board, it would run contrary to Imran Khan’s policy.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Technical Education Usman Khan said there was still no cellular service in his constituency despite his repeated efforts to raise the matter in the assembly. He said he had provided details of non-functional towers in a meeting held on the chair’s directions, but no steps were taken afterward. MPA Anwar Zeb Khan also said people in his Bajaur constituency were facing severe communication problems, with overseas residents unable to contact relatives at home.

Taxes in merged districts and Malakand

The session also saw strong criticism of the federal government’s decision to impose taxes in the merged tribal districts and Malakand Division. Housing Minister Dr Amjad Ali said that when Imran Khan was prime minister, he had called then finance minister Asad Umar and the finance secretary and secured an SRO granting the region a five-year tax exemption.

Dr Ali said there was no written agreement, but maintained that a commitment had been made that Malakand Division would not be taxed for 100 years. He added that residents of the tribal districts and Malakand had endured difficult conditions for a long time, and warned that the issue could worsen because traders and civil society had already announced a strike.

Awami National Party lawmaker Arbab Usman questioned why only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should continue to make sacrifices. He said his party had recently organised a multi-party conference on the issue and would resist the imposition of taxes in the erstwhile Fata and Malakand. He also asked for details of the reported $2 billion paid to a US lobbying firm for recommendations related to investment, arms and military support.

Another ANP member, Mohammad Nisar, said a strategy should be formed on taxation in the merged districts and Malakand until the federal government released the former tribal areas’ share in the National Finance Commission Award and net hydel profit. Speaking on law and order, he said the state could mediate between the United States and Iran but had failed to bring peace to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. “We want Lahore-like peace in our merged districts,” he said.

Mohammad Nisar also alleged that people who raised their voice for peace in the region were placed on the Exit Control List and booked in criminal cases. Anwar Zeb Khan said he had protested against his own government over provincial taxes in the tribal districts and had even threatened to march on Islamabad if federal taxes were not withdrawn.

Transfers, Bank of Khyber and legislation

In a calling attention notice, Arbab Usman said teachers posted in Peshawar by the elementary and secondary education department were being transferred elsewhere, while teachers from other districts were seeking postings in the provincial capital. He said the matter should be resolved immediately because it was affecting academic standards, and asked that transfer orders be uploaded to the department’s website. In response, Minister Afridi said all transfers and postings were being made through the e-transfer system.

Opposition JUI-F member Aiman Jalil questioned why loan defaulters had been given fresh loans. She said the Bank of Khyber had stated that loan applications were accepted because of national or international crises. Arbab Usman said a committee meeting on the issue was due on Thursday and called for scrutiny of the bank’s loan structure, saying there was a variance of Rs12 billion to Rs15 billion.

MPA Ayub said the KP government had set up the Bank of Khyber to support industry in the province, but there was no data available on the bank’s investment in other provinces. He alleged that loans had been issued in return for commission and said the bank had gone completely off track. He asked for the matter to be referred to the relevant house committee for discussion and recommendations. The assembly also passed the KP Kalash Marriage Bill, 2026.