Jirga opposes Swat operation

MINGORA: Pledging to work for a lasting peace in the area, the Swat Qaumi Jirga on Monday vowed to resist Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. The jirga was attended by leaders of almost all political parties, elders, representatives of the Swat Traders Federation, office-bearers of the District Bar Association, Private Schools Management Association, the transport community and others.

The leaders of Swat Qaumi Jirga’s core committee presided over the session.Speaking on the occasion, prominent leaders, including Mukhtiar Khan Yousafzai, Zahid Khan, Sher Bahadur Khan, Abdul Jabbar Khan, Abdul Qahar Khan, Jamal Nasir Khan, Rahmat Ali, Qari Mahmood, Dr. Khalid Mahmood, Qaimos Khan, Saleem Khan, Hamidul Haq, Akhtar Ali Khan, Irfan Chattan, Raja Mumtaz, Ahmad Shah, Anwar Zaman, Ajab Khan Turyalay, Sher Shah Khan and others said that they would not allow anyone to create law and order situation in Malakand Division, especially Swat.

They feared that certain elements were hatching conspiracies to create artificial terrorism, which would be resisted at all costs.“Initially, police force and local police stations across the Swat were targeted with sniper guns and bombs, causing fear and panic among the public,” a leader said, adding that it sparked anger, frustration, and hatred towards the state among the people.

They said that the people of Swat had rendered matchless sacrifices for lasting peace in the region and would not allow anyone to sabotage the peace of the valley. “The state must empower the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) to cope with terrorism,” said Zahid Khan, adding that in case of any untoward situation, the masses would start agitation.

Mukhtiar Khan Yousafzai said that the youth of the area were fully aware of their constitutional rights and knew how to protect their motherland from terrorists. He added that the Jirga would support every individual who raised his voice for the peace of the valley.

The speakers said that the elders of Swat Qaumi Jirga had repeatedly pointed to the seriousness of the situation but the rulers were yet to grasp the ground realities. Certain elements, they added, were involved in sabotaging the peace process in a bid to seize the valuable lands, resources and minerals of Swat.