SWAT: Swat Qaumi Jirga has demanded immediate and effective measures from the government to control the rising incidents of terrorism in the district and called for a review of the existing policy on the issue.
The jirga warned that if the policy is not revised, it will launch a formal movement against the civilian government to ensure the protection of public life and property.
Addressing a press conference at Swat Press Club, members of the jirga’s working committee including Mukhtar Khan Yousafzai, AhmAd Shah, Fazal Ahad Khan, Nawab Khan, Salahuddin Khan, Abdul Jabbar Khan, Abdul Qayyum, Zahid Khan, Sher Shah Khan, Khalid Umar, Khurshid Kaka Ji, Akhtar Ali, Haider Ali Khan, Mumtaz Ali, Sher Bahadur Zada Khan, Irfan Chattan, Shah Room Khan and others said that the jirga has always raised a strong voice for peace and played a key role in restoring stability in Swat.
They said recent attacks on political figures including Mumtaz Ali Khan and Ayub Khan Asharay, along with other incidents, are highly alarming, while the perpetrators remain unidentified. They added that statements alone are not enough and concrete action is required.
The speakers stressed that ensuring the protection of citizens is the constitutional responsibility of the state. They questioned why terrorism cannot be controlled despite modern resources available to civil administration and police.
They warned that if the government fails to change its policy immediately, the jirga will mobilize people at the grassroots level and launch a full-scale protest movement for peace and security in the region.
