PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati has ordered the removal of the red zone restrictions up to the main gate of the assembly on Khyber Road. The decision came after lawmakers raised concerns over recent protests and police action against government employees.
During the session, MPA Rehana Ismail strongly criticized the police for using batons and tear gas on protesters. She said the employees were peacefully demanding their rights but were met with brutality.
However, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam denied government involvement, stating that police only acted when protesters tried to enter the restricted red zone area.
Speaker Swati questioned where the red zone boundaries started, to which the minister replied it began at the assembly building. Swati then directed authorities to allow public access up to the assembly gate, saying, “We are people’s representatives—if they can’t protest here, where else will they go?” He also ordered the removal of a security checkpoint near the assembly.
The move aims to ease protest restrictions while maintaining security near judges’ and officials’ residences nearby.
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