On the eventful day of July 12, 2023, Buner, particularly Daggar, its administrative headquarters, witnessed significant developments. Lieutenant General Nawabzada Tariq Khan, who served as IG FC, reflected on the historical significance of the region. He mentioned that even during Emperor Akbar’s era, notable figures like Birbal met their fate here. Buner had seen five British VCs awarded, but it was only in 2009 that a military operation achieved success. With a force of two wings, two battalions, and mule-based logistics, a strategic operation was launched to liberate Buner from militants. Captain Meraj, my ADC, sacrificed his life during this operation. It is heartening to see that Buner has now become stable and peaceful.
On the following day, July 12, 2023, at 11:30 am, I had the privilege of meeting District Police Officer Shah Hasan at his office in Daggar. The office was filled with local notables, politicians, and members of the media. As outsiders, our entry seemed purposeless amidst the crowd.
DPO Shah Hasan, an experienced and seasoned police officer from Mardan, with 27 years of field experience, endorsed General Tariq Khan’s assessment that Buner was relatively trouble-free. However, he expressed concerns about the strategic passes still being exploited for the transportation of criminal logistics. During my entry from Ambela, I noticed the local police conducting thorough searches of vehicles, including the driver’s seat—a commendable practice. However, the DPO revealed that local resistance made it challenging to implement strict security measures.
One troubling aspect of our conversation was the DPO’s candid admission that serving in the police force is a thankless job, causing officers to become alienated from the very people they strive to protect. This also leads to strained relationships with their families, as they often remain distant due to the demanding nature of their work. Post-retirement, many police officers suffer from stress and depression, feeling like misfits in their new environments, including their own homes, where they have become disconnected from their families and children.
I firmly believe that every police officer who has served in the field holds a treasure trove of valuable information. If Police Service Officers make an effort to document their day-to-day experiences, observations, and conclusions in personal diaries, it would create a richer source of knowledge than the British-maintained District Gazateer. I parted ways with the DPO, looking forward to future meetings where I could learn more from his extensive criminological experience.
Later, I had the privilege of meeting the young and dynamic District Officer, Honourable Arshad Qayoom Burki, an intelligent and promising individual. Our conversation revolved around the tribal composition of the Pukhun tribes. While he contested the Burki tribe’s Pukhun origins, I held the belief that they were proud Afghans, akin to the Tajik and Hazara tribes. The Burki tribe had supported my ancestor, Ghazi Aman Ullah Khan, during the 3rd Anglo-Afghan war of independence. We also discussed the media and its lack of objectivity due to its highly opinionated nature.
The District Officer, whom I found to be well-read and possessed of a graceful demeanor, was suited to his position. He was responsible for maintaining checks and balances on the security forces deployed in the field, as well as addressing the day-to-day grievances of the general public. I humbly advised him to pay attention to minute details and avoid overconfidence, which could lead to detachment from ground realities and reliance on incorrect advice.
As an example, I would now draw his attention as promised to him during our meeting, to the nameplate on the gate next to his own DC House, which still read “DC Office,” despite the office having been relocated to a new building a hundred yards away without any sign post to guide the visitors . This building now serves as the residence of the Additional Deputy Commissioner that is even today misleading marked as DC office.
Furthermore, I suggested that during his tenure, he should ensure that heavy marble-laden low bed trucks operate from midnight until dawn to prevent traffic congestion. This would benefit both the locals and the truck drivers who navigate the challenging hilly roads, reducing the risk of accidents.
If he could assist in establishing a permanent site for the present ad hoc Buner University, currently operating on the premises of Government College Sawari, it would be a significant contribution to the economic upliftment of the area that has long suffered from neglect. Additionally, I expressed the hope for a government initiative to establish a Marble Industrial Zone where marble could be cut, polished, and sent as finished products, eliminating the hazards associated with transporting raw materials.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that the administration and police are the two strongest pillars of the state. If they are strengthened, free from political interference, they will lead Pakistan back on the path of progress and prosperity. As I bid goodnight to my dear family and friends, I find myself camped at the foothill of the historic Umbeyla Pass, striving to piece together the mostly distorted and biased history of this remarkable region, with the assistance of local historians and scholars.