SWAT: A jirga attended by tribal elders, senior government officials and elected representatives here on Saturday expressed its resolve to protect the ‘hard-earned peace in Malakand division at all costs’.

The civil administration of Malakand division had organised the jirga participated by elders from Swat, Buner, Shangla, Lower and Upper Dir, Malakand and Bajaur, provincial chief secretary, IG Frontier Corps (North), the provincial police chief, parliamentarians and local government representatives. The commissioner Malakand division, the regional police officer and deputy commissioners of all the districts were also in attendance, according to a press release.

The jirga members discussed the security situation in Swat and other districts of the division and the measures taken to ensure peace and stability there.

The participants were informed that security and peace would be ensured at all costs, and no group or individual would be allowed to disturb peace and socioeconomic activities in the region.

They said security forces, the police and the people of Malakand division had laid down great sacrifices for bringing peace to the region, adding the blood of the martyrs won’t be allowed to go waste.

They asserted that few elements bent on creating chaos in Swat and Malakand division for their ulterior motives won’t be allowed to succeed. They said the writ of the state had been established and would be maintained at all cost.

The jirga members paid rich tribute to civil administration of Malakand division and the police for carrying out successful counter-terrorism operations.

They reiterated their resolve to stand by the law enforcement agencies to defeat the designs of anti-state elements for peace in the division and the province at large.

However, no mediaperson or any member of Swat Press Club was allowed to attend the jirga, while the office-bearers of Swat Olasi Pasoon, Swat Qaumi Jirga, traders’ federation, Swat hotels’ association and other elders of the district were also not invited to the jirga.

The civil society activists and youth said they rejected the jirga as it lacked true representation of Swat people.

They also questioned absence of media in the forum.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2022