SWAT: Family members of missing persons on Wednesday rallied in front of district courts, demanding of government either release their detained loved ones or formally frame charge against them in a court of law.

They started their rally from Kanju Chowk in Kabal tehsil and gathered in front of district courts in Saidu Sharif. The protest was arranged by Defence of Human Rights organisation.

Aftab Ali Shah, the coordinator of Defence of Human Rights, said that approximately 1,100 residents of Swat were forcefully disappeared while 500 others were kept in prison in Mardan, Haripur, and Peshawar.

He alleged that some detainees were shifted from Haripur jail and at least two of them were reportedly killed in what he called fake police encounters. He expressed fears for the safety of other prisoners removed for the jail under similar circumstances.

Protesters’ leader says 1,100 residents of Swat forcefully disappeared

Hazrat Sayed, an elderly protester from Sirsenai village, said that his son had been missing for the last 16 years. He said that his son, a nurse working in Peshawar, was called by security forces for a brief interview. “I took him to authorities for a short interview, but 16 years later, he still has not returned,” he added.

He said that despite filing cases in Peshawar High Court and Defence of Human Rights Islamabad, he did not receive any response.

Fazlur Rehman, another protester from Kabal village, said that his father Bakht Zarin was taken into custody by security forces as a suspect 16 years ago. “I knocked at every door, went to Peshawar High Court and reached out to Defence of Human Rights Islamabad, but all in vain,” he said.

The participants of the rally urged government to be transparent, accountable and committed to upholding the rule of law in addressing the plight of missing persons.

Polio: A five-day national polio campaign is currently under way in Swat to vaccinate 482,066 children below five years.

District Health Officer Dr Salim Khan called on people to support the 2,115 polio teams, which included 100 union council medical officers and 468 area head officials. These teams are conducting door-to-door visits to administer vaccine to children.

“The success of this campaign depends on community cooperation. We urge parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine, along with the vitamin A drops being administered during this campaign,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2024