SWAT: The longstanding dispute over the Wali of Swat’s royal palace further intensified on Tuesday when members of the royal family as well as that of former provincial minister Fazal Hakim Khan Yousafzai accused each other of opening fire at their respective residences.

Saidu Sharif police said heavy gunfire was heard inside the royal palace premises at around 3.30am on Monday, triggering panic in the surrounding area.

The police have lodged an FIR on the complaint of Abdul Aziz Khan, nephew of former provincial minister Fazal Hakim Yousafzai, against Princess Begum Zebun Nisa Jilani, granddaughter of the Wali of Swat, and around a dozen others under various sections of the law.

Meanwhile, the police have also filed a report on the complaint of Begum Zebun Nisa against MPA Fazal Hakim and about a dozen other individuals.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Begum Zebun Nisa alleged that armed men started firing in the air when guests were arriving at her residence and she was making arrangements for them.

“The armed people opened fire at the behest of MPA Fazal Hakim. They also fired at our house, but luckily we remained unharmed,” she said.

She also appealed to the law enforcement agencies to provide protection to them.

On the other hand, Afrin Khan, brother of Fazal Hakim, and the former minister’s son, Salman Khan Yousafzai, told a separate press conference that around 40 men associated with Begum Zebun Nisa attacked their house late at night and attempted to kill them.

Police officials said investigations were under way and that statements from both the sides, along with evidence from the scene, were being examined. They added that further action would be taken in accordance with the law after completion of the inquiry.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2025