Police, Levies and Khasadar personnel in the merged districts have announced a boycott of the upcoming polio vaccination campaign, saying the protest will continue until their service-related demands are addressed.
The announcement was made during a protest sit-in at Bab-i-Khyber, where representatives of the protesting personnel said they would continue their boycott until the government resolves their longstanding grievances.
The protesters have also decided to impose a Rs25 million penalty on any Levies or Khasadar personnel who participate in polio-related duties during the campaign.
As part of the protest, personnel have reportedly stopped registering first information reports (FIRs) and making entries in daily police diaries at police stations in the merged districts.
The development has raised concerns about security arrangements for the upcoming polio campaign, particularly in districts where vaccination teams are scheduled to begin the three-day drive on September 21.
The protesting personnel have raised concerns over the absence of a clearly defined service structure. They say their service is being counted from 2019 following the merger of the former tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, creating concerns over seniority and service benefits.
They have also demanded a clear mechanism for promotions and pensions, calling for a defined framework governing career progression and retirement benefits.
The protesters said their demonstrations would continue until the government fulfils its commitments and resolves their service-related grievances.
The committee has also announced plans to establish protest camps outside the offices of deputy commissioners in each merged district, where demonstrations will continue until their demands are addressed.
Meanwhile, despite the ongoing protest, police personnel in Mohmand recently intervened to resolve a dispute over a passageway in Kargan Kalay, Prang Ghar.
Police mediated between two parties following a brief altercation that had temporarily blocked the passage. The route was reopened after the parties reached an agreement.
The protesting Levies and Khasadar personnel maintain that their boycott and demonstrations will continue until their demands are accepted and the government implements its commitments.
