The Bannu district administration has transferred Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Maulana Naseem Ali Shah to Central Jail Haripur for 30 days under Section 3(1) of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960. He will remain in detention there. The step was taken on the report of the District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu in view of restoring law and order and ensuring public safety.
According to the official order issued by the Bannu district administration, dated October 19, 2026, there were concerns that MNA Maulana Naseem Ali Shah, son of Naseeb Ali Shah and a resident of Ghoriwala, Bannu, could seriously affect the law and order situation in the area through activities that could disrupt public order, spread unrest and promote negative activities.
In the order issued by Bannu Deputy Commissioner Zia-ur-Rehman, reference was made to letter No. 6279/PA, dated October 19, 2026, from the District Police Officer (DPO) Bannu. It was clarified that, according to the police report, the individual concerned had been found involved in anti-state activities.
In addition, he has been accused of inciting local residents to hold illegal protest demonstrations, blocking public highways and effectively obstructing government officials from performing their official duties.
Excerpts from the Official Letter and Orders
In the order issued by the Bannu Deputy Commissioner, it was maintained that after reviewing the available arguments and material, the administration had reached the conclusion that the free movement of the MNA concerned posed serious threats to public safety and that it could lead to a deterioration in the overall law and order situation.
In light of this, invoking the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, commonly known as 3 MPO, it was directed that Maulana Naseem Ali Shah be taken into custody and immediately transferred to Central Jail Haripur, where he would remain under detention for a period of 30 days.
The order further stated that this period of detention would begin from the time of his arrest and being taken into custody.
Copies of the order have been sent to the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Tribal Affairs and Sustainable Development Department, Peshawar; Commissioner Bannu Division; Regional Police Officer Bannu; Regional Police Officer Hazara Division; DPO Bannu; DPO Haripur; and Superintendent Central Jail Haripur, with directions for necessary action and his detention.
Political and Administrative Context
Section 3 of the West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960, empowers the district administration to place any person under preventive detention to maintain law and order if their activities pose a threat of a breach of peace.
In Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and surrounding areas, the administration has recently been taking strict security measures due to the security situation and protest demonstrations.
In the past, the authorities have also used this law against various political and religious leaders to keep roads clear and maintain the smooth flow of traffic on highways.
