SWAT: Activists of Swat Olasi Pasoon (people’s movement) staged a sit-in at the Kabal Chowk here on Friday against the rampant deforestation and long hours of electric loadshedding in the scenic valley.

The sit-in blocked major roads, including Mingora-Peshawar-Islamabad, Matta and Kalam roads. Roads leading Shah Dherai and Totano Bandai were also closed to traffic, resulting in long queues of vehicles.

Members of the movement led by Aftab Ali, Ziaullah Khan, Jawad Ahmad, local elders and residents participated in the demonstration.

They alleged forests in all areas of Swat district were being chopped down indiscriminately.

They said the deforestation was not only stripping Swat of its natural beauty but also exacerbating the region’s vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change.

The protesters demanded an immediate end to the illegal practice, emphasising the need to preserve the natural environment and protect the region from further ecological damage.

The protestors also highlighted the issue of electric loadshedding, which they claimed lasted for 16 to 20 hours daily in Kabal tehsil.

They said extended power outage was causing significant hardships for residents, who were struggling even to obtain drinking water.

The protesters called for an immediate end to loadshedding.

After negotiations with the district administration and Peshawar Electric Supply Company officials, the protesters dispersed.

The authorities assured that steps would be taken to curb deforestation and reduce hours of loadshedding.

POLIO CAMPAIGN: A meeting of the district anti-polio committee was informed on Friday that 469,442 children under age five in Swat would receive vaccination during the five-day national polio campaign beginning on June 3.

Additional deputy commissioner, finance and planning, Abdul Latif chaired the meeting, which reviewed arrangements for the drive.

District health officer Mohammad Saleem was also present.

The meeting was informed that 2,026 teams had been formed under the supervision of 450 area in-charges and 100 union council medical

officers for the door-to-door campaign.

On the occasion, Mr Latif appealed to people to ensure all children under the age of five received polio drops.

He urged people to fully cooperate with polio officials and support the government as patriotic citizens to eradicate infectious diseases like polio.

Later, Mr Latif inaugurated the polio campaign by administering drops to a child.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2024