PESHAWAR, Feb 6: Schools would reopen in Swat in March and the government would make alternative arrangements in case of destroyed schools, women parliamentarians of the ruling Awami National Party (ANP) said here on Friday.

The ANP had decided to send a delegation of women lawmakers to the violence-wracked district to ascertain the volume of damage caused by militants to girl schools, the women MPs said during a news conference.

They said that the party had nominated a delegation and two committees to monitor the deteriorating law and order situation in Swat, ascertain the quantum of damage to girl schools, sufferings of women and children, raise funds for them and express solidarity with women who were being demoralised in the ongoing battle.

MPA Shagufta Malik on the occasion said that militants were targeting girl schools and destroying them and women were suffering in the region. “We condemn destruction of schools,” she said.

She said ANP leader Zahra Khattak would act as convener of the proposed organising committee while MPA Zubaida Ehsan and former MPA Farah Aqil Shah would be its members.

MNA Jamila Gilani, she said, would be convener of the fund-raising committee while Nasreen Bukhari and MPA Musarrat Shafi would be its members.

“The ANP women MPs would donate their one-month salary and appeal to party workers to provide financial assistance for Swat women and displaced people,” she said.

MNA Bushra Gohar on the occasion said that the proposed delegation would consist of the organising committee and ANP women MNAs and MPAs. “The delegation will shortly go to Swat to assess the damage caused to girl schools, express solidarity with women and collect details of the internally displaced persons (IDPs),” she added.