Curfew imposed in South Waziristan, Tank on Nov 5; several highways to remain closed

South Waziristan: A curfew will be imposed in South Waziristan Lower, South Waziristan Upper and Tank district on November 5 under Section 144 in view of security measures, during which all traffic and movement on several important highways will remain prohibited, while some bazaars will also remain closed.

Ambulances and other emergency vehicles will be allowed to move in all three districts.

According to the instructions issued, a curfew will remain in force in tehsil Wana of South Waziristan Lower from 6am to 7pm. During this period, the movement of passenger vehicles, goods vehicles and motorcycles will remain suspended on Wana Bazaar and Wana Bypass, along with various other routes.

Owing to the curfew, the routes from Wana, Tiarza Gate, Karb Kot, Tanai, Azizabad Chowk to Dargai Bridge, and from Gul Kuch and Toi Khullah to Tanai, will remain closed.

Similarly, a curfew will also remain in force in tehsils Sarwakai and Sararogha of South Waziristan Upper on November 5 from 6am to 7pm. During this period, all movement will remain prohibited, while all bazaars and markets will also remain closed.

In South Waziristan Upper, the route from Laddha, Makeen, Tabai Sar, Bibi Raghzai, Sararogha, Kotkai and Spinkai Raghzai to Nazar Khel will remain closed. Apart from this, movement will also remain prohibited on the routes of Dargai Bridge, Madi Jan, Sheen Warsak, Mulla Khan Sarai, Chagmalai to Jandola, Sarwakai to Mulla Khan Sarai and Barwand, and Asman Manza to Sherongi and Torwam.

In Tank district, restrictions will also remain in force under Section 144 on November 5 from 6am to 6pm. During this period, pedestrian movement, along with the movement of motorcycles and passenger and goods vehicles, will remain suspended, while Ranwal Bazaar will remain completely closed.

In Tank district, movement will remain prohibited on the routes from Dabra to Tank Bypass, Boltonabad, Garah Pathar and Garah Hayat; Tank Bypass to Ranwal and Manjhi Khel to Bhagwal; Tank to Pathan Kot and Gul Imam to Pezu; Kor Fort to Khargai to Jandola; and Dabra to Kor Fort, Gardawi and Gomal Zam Dam to Azizabad.

Instructions for emergencies and citizens

According to the instructions issued by the authorities, law enforcement agencies, ambulances, the fire brigade and other emergency services will remain exempt from the restrictions in all three districts.

In South Waziristan Lower and South Waziristan Upper, citizens will be able to travel on the affected routes only in an emergency and with the permission of the district police or security forces. For this, they will have to submit their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and vehicle documents, while in South Waziristan Upper, polio workers and teams will be allowed to move after showing their identification.

According to the instructions, in South Waziristan Lower, on seeing a security forces vehicle, citizens will have to stop their vehicle at a distance of 200 metres, while in South Waziristan Upper, on seeing a security forces vehicle, they will have to stop their vehicle 50 metres before it and all persons will have to get down from their vehicles.

In Tank district as well, travel on the affected routes will be possible only in an emergency and with the clear permission of the District Police Officer (DPO) Tank or the security forces.

Violation of the restrictions in South Waziristan Lower and Tank district will invite legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, while in South Waziristan Upper, the responsibility for a violation will lie with the concerned individual.