MINGORA, April 23: Sixty-three former militants, who were arrested during the Rahe Rast military operation, on Tuesday completed training here at Mashal Training Institute under the Pakistan Army supervision.

Until now, 1,258 former militants have got training at the institute.

During a function, which marked completion of their training, the former militants sang national songs, presented tableaus and delivered speeches in Urdu, Pashto and English to express their patriotism.

A programme highlighting local culture and music was also organised on the occasion, where Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Khalid Rabbani was the chief guest.

GOC, Swat Maj Gen Sanullah Khan Niazi, Commissioner Malakand division Fakhar Alam, DIG Abdullah Khan, Brig Akmal Aziz, DC Swat Syed Imtiaz Hussain, DPO Gul Afzal Khan Afridi and military and civil functionaries and elders of the area were also in attendance.

The trainers took oath to be good citizens and work for durable peace in the region. The also pledged that they won’t repeat past mistakes and would remain loyal to the country.

On the occasion, the corps commander termed the freed men as asset of the country and said unfortunately, they had gone in wrong hands.

He said there was exemplary peace in Swat.

Lt-Gen Khalid Rabbani said the sacrifices rendered by security forces and people of Swat would not be forgotten.

He said peace couldn’t be restored with the active support of the citizens.

The corps commander later distributed prizes among the winners of computer, electrician, auto-electrician, agriculture, carpenter, puncture, traveling, building and power loom training programmes.

The instructors and special speakers were also given awards at the function.

Later, the former militants were handed over to their respective families in the presence of the members of peace committees.