September 25, 2008	Thursday	Ramazan 24, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 24: The Female Human Rights Organisation (FEHRO) on Wednesday organised a peaceful protest walk to turn the attention of the government, media and the public towards the victims of Swat conflict.

Dozens of civil society representatives and people from different walks of life participated in the walk. The participants carried placards with inscriptions demanding peace in Swat district which was in the throes of violence since July 2007. They were also holding photographs of innocent people who had fallen prey to the conflict.

Despite ongoing operations by the Pakistani security forces, violence in Swat is continuing unabated, affecting the populace of the area. The inscriptions read – “No to Mullah and Military Annihilation”, “Peace is what we want”, and “Whom we ask to secure our present and future?”

Swat, once known for its scenic beauty and tourism potential, has virtually become “a valley of death”.

Representatives from Swat articulated the ordeal of thousands of civilians who are going through mental, physical and financial agonies. The imposition of curfew has affected all sorts of activities in Swat where people are confined to their houses for the last one year, while many others have been internally displaced, they said, adding that there was no solution in sight as of now.

“Even in the holy month of Ramazan, there is no relief for the people of Swat where there is acute shortage of basic supplies and absence of health facilities,” the speakers said.

They also mentioned the ruined infrastructure of the government. The tourist industry, which is the mainstay of the entire Swat region, has also suffered colossal losses, they noted.

The rally participants urged upon the power corridors to look into the matter since it was the innocent people who were the worst affected of this conflict.