Army introduces de-radicalisation centre in Swat
Reuters
Published
April 25, 2012
![A general view of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters. A general view of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.](https://i.dawn.com/2012/04/6_pakistan_deradicalisation_reuters_670.jpg)
![Men make wooden panels in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters Men make wooden panels in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters](https://i.dawn.com/2012/04/1_pakistan_deradicalisation_reuters_670.jpg)
![Men learn how to fix a vehicle engine in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters. Men learn how to fix a vehicle engine in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.](https://i.dawn.com/2012/04/2_pakistan_deradicalisation_reuters_670.jpg)
![Men sit in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters. Men sit in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.](https://i.dawn.com/2012/04/3_pakistan_deradicalisation_reuters_670.jpg)
![Men learn electrical work in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters. Men learn electrical work in a classroom at the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.](https://i.dawn.com/2012/04/4_pakistan_deradicalisation_reuters_670.jpg)
![A soldier stands guard at the main entrance of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters. A soldier stands guard at the main entrance of the Mashal de-radicalisation centre run by the Pakistani army in Gulibagh, Pakistan's Swat Valley. – Photo by Reuters.](https://i.dawn.com/2012/04/5_pakistan_deradicalisation_reuters_670.jpg)
Pakistan’s military drove militants out of Swat in 2009.
Mashal de -radicalisation centre is in the building which used to be the headquarters of the militants from where they imposed there austere version of Islam.
Eventually, the army realised it couldn’t secure long-term peace with bullets alone.
So military officers, trainers, moderate clerics and psychologists were chosen to run three-month courses designed to erase “radical thoughts” of those accused of aiding the Taliban.
School officials say about 1,000 people have graduated since the initiative began two years ago, and that only 10 per cent were not cleared for release.
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On DawnNews
Comments (4) Closed
gulshan
Apr 25, 2012 01:39pm
De-radicalisation, Good Taliban, Bad taliban and Strategical depth are all there to keep the Awaam confused and occupy. When text books in the schools are teaching lies and hatred, we are infesting innocent minds and no amount of rectification in the later years is going to help.
The Mullah-Military Brigade has to be de-radicalised first and formost, as a matter of policy.
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Jameela
Apr 26, 2012 10:05am
Excellent, need more centers in whole Pakistan.
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HAMZA JAVED
Apr 26, 2012 06:40am
A very well effort by Pak Army. A much needed one. They should also initiate such centers across the country.
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BKay
Apr 26, 2012 04:10am
Seems like a good initiative!
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