SWAT: Dustin De Grande, the political and economic chief of US Consulate in Peshawar, said here on Thursday that the United States was interested in working jointly with the government of Pakistan to improve economy and promote tourism, empower women and stabilise peace through USAID initiatives in Swat.

He made these remarks during a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Shahzad Mehboob at his office. The meeting was attended by additional deputy commissioners Sohail Ahmed and Abrar Wazir, deputy director of Upper Swat Development Authority, district sports officer, district youth officer, district social welfare officer, police officials and others.

The deputy commissioner briefed the envoy on historical and geographical significance of the district, highlighting its famous tourist destinations and cultural heritage. Abrar Wazir talked about the impact of floods in 2010 and 2022.

The meeting also discussed law and order, promotion of tourism, ongoing security and social welfare initiatives and need for child protection programmes in the district.

Meeting also discusses law and order, women empowerment

The deputy commissioner presented an honorary shield and a traditional Swati shawl to Dustin De Grande. The envoy presented a sheriff badge and other gifts to the deputy commissioner.

PROTEST: A large number of civil society members and youth took to streets on Thursday against the recent forest cutting in Swat and demanded of the government to take immediate steps to stop the timber smugglers from cutting trees.

Holding placards, they took out rallies from different parts of Mingora and gathered in front of Swat Press Club. They chanted slogans against forest cutting. Led by Amjad Ali Khan, Abdul Khaliq, Sajjad Ali and other social activists, the protesters said that recently, an increase was observed in forest cutting across the district.

They said that timber smugglers were active in Kabal, Khwazakhela, Madyan, Kalam and other parts of Swat, but the department seemed helpless. “The forest department officials didn’t even know when Saidu Sharif Teaching Hospital administration cut several trees inside the hospital. We don’t understand how the trees planted during the state era were cut by the administration, and the forest department didn’t know about it,” they said.

They said that Swat was faced with severe climate change effects and nearly every year floods inflicted heavy losses on people. “One of the causes of climate change is illegal tree cutting,” they added.

The protesters demanded of government to take stern action against the people involved in cutting trees. They threatened to hold a mammoth protest and block roads if their demand was not accepted.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2024