SWAT: Minister for forests, environment, climate change and wildlife Fazal Hakeem Khan Yousafzai on Monday announced to hold a ‘peace march’ on Wednesday (today) in Mingora to oppose the planned Azm-i-Istehkam military operation in Malakand division.

He made the announcement during a crowded news conference at the Swat Press Club, where city mayor Shahid Ali Khan, local leaders, and workers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf were also present.

He said that Swat was famous all over the world for its scenic views and pleasant weather, where tourists from across the country and the world visit to enjoy the scenic beauty and serenity. “Despite the fact that the people of Swat are highly patriotic and strictly follow the country’s Constitution, they faced and experienced harsh times when militants in the past challenged the writ of the government,” he said, adding that the people of Swat made sacrifices for the entire country and rejected Taliban rule at the time.

“About two million people from Swat put themselves in extreme trouble and were displaced for the sake of the country. Now Swat is completely peaceful, everything is okay, and tourism is booming,” he said.

Mr Hakeem said that the people of Swat suffered enormous losses of lives and property in the first military operation, the wounds of which were still fresh. “Now we are not ready to lift our own bodies once again because we have not forgotten the bodies hanging from electric poles in different squares of Mingora in the past,” he said.

He asked the people to fully participate in the peace march by hoisting white flags of peace. “All the people in Swat, irrespective of their political affiliation, should come out and support the peace march,” he urged.

He said that all members of the national and provincial assemblies of Malakand division, as well as Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, were supporting the peace movement.

He said the march would begin from Nishat Chowk.

He said the central government’s decision to launch an operation was unilateral. He claimed that there was complete peace in Malakand division, so there was no need for any operation.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2024