SWAT/SHANGLA: Streets of Charbagh tehsil in Swat district resounded with the slogans of ‘only peace’ as scores of people on Friday converged on the main square in Charbagh Bazaar against the recent wave of terrorism in Swat.

Also, political leaders and civil society members staged a rally in Alpuri area of Shangla district demanding sustainable peace in the region.

The Swat rally was taken out by Charbagh tehsil elders, youth and children, who also held flags and banners with slogans of ‘peace and no to terrorism’.

The Swat Qaumi Jirga organised the event, where adviser to the prime minister on political and public affairs and PML-N provincial president Amir Muqam, ANP district chief Ayub Asharey, PkMAP leader Mukhtiar Yousafzai, elders Attaullah Jan, Sawab Khan, Hilal Danish, Haji Zahid Khan, Nazif Lala and Idrees Bacha and peace activists were also in attendance.

Vow to resist bids to sabotage peace

The speakers said protests against the recent acts of terrorism would continue across Swat until the last militant was eliminated.

Mr Muqam said the PML-N would make no compromise on Swat peace.

“We are against all forms of terrorism and stand with the people of Swat for peace. I have to say that the people of Swat are not alone and that both PML-N leadership and workers in the entire country stand with them,” he said.

The speakers also said Swat residents were aware of what was right and what was wrong.

“We [Swatis] have unanimously decided not to rest until the elimination of terrorism. We’re deceived in the past but that won’t happen this time around,” said Mukhtiar Yousafzai.

The speakers said the people of Swat had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for peace.

Attaullah Jan advocate said like other communities of the country, Pakhtuns had the right to peaceful life, education and shelter but unfortunately, they’re discriminated against.

The speakers said the residents of Charbagh were brave people like their ancestors, who fought for their motherland valiantly.

They said if terrorists tried to sabotage peace, the residents would offer strong resistance to them.

The Swat Qaumi Jirga announced that protests would be held across Swat for the cause of peace.

During a rally in Alpuri area of Shangla district, political leaders, civil society activists, social activists, educationists, lawyers, transporters, youth and students demanded sustainable peace in the region.

They condemned the resurgence of terrorism in parts of Malakand division.

ANP leader Mutawakil Khan told the Shangla Peace Movement rally that his party would continue raising voice for the rights of Pakhtuns living in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal districts.

Former MPA Mohammad Rashad Khan said it was the state’s responsibility to protect the lives and properties of Malakand residents, who rendered great sacrifices for five years in the past.

“We want peace as our constitutional right,” he said.

ANP district president Azam Khan said the region had no place for terrorists and that the residents couldn’t be fooled in the name of peace yet again.

PTI tehsil chairman Waqar Ahmad Khan said three million residents migrated from the region in 2009 to lead a miserable life but they won’t leave homes this time around and would resist militancy with ‘full force’.

He said the residents couldn’t allow any group to take up arms and sabotage peace by killing people.

The PTI leader said security forces should protect public life and property.

One of the protest organisers Noorullah Khan said the rallies were staged to convey a clear message to terrorists and the state that the residents won’t allow militants to operate from their soil for anti-peace activities.

“What was unknown is known to us, now,” he said urging the federal and provincial governments to ensure lasting peace in the region.

He warned that the residents would stage street protests in Islamabad and Lahore against militancy in their region.

Speakers Musa Yousafzai, Afsar Afghan and Sardar Ali also demanded peace in the province, especially Malakand division.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2022