There was alarm in Matta, the native city of Khyber-Paktunkhwa’s chief minister, when a DSP and other police personnel were taken captive by terrorists in August 2022. The incident shook none other than the locals of Swat. The interior minister denied existence of militants in the valley. The chief minister and other government officials were dismissive about the growing threat.
Then came the floods in Swat which further sidelined the issue of surging militancy.
However, after a long silence, on October 11, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, the spokesperson for the KP government, conveyed to Defence Minister Khwaja Asif that the “security situation in KP is better”; whereas, across the valley, the air was filled with terror, people were worried about the safety of their lives and property. The memories of the reign of terror in 2008 came alive.
…the air was filled with terror, people were worried about the safety of their lives and property. Memories of the reign of terror in 2008 came alive.
On October 10, an unidentified man open fired on a school van, killing the driver on the spot and injuring two students. The residents of the area took to the streets to protest against the resurgence of violence in Swat. A huge protest was staged in Nishat Chowk of Mingora city. Thousands of people chanted slogans -- “Ya dehshatgardi, namanzoor” (militancy is unacceptable). Manzoor Pashteen attended the rally as well.
Another protest was held at Charbagh Chowk the following Friday; where people once again rejected militancy and expressed determination to ensure peace in the area. The locals asserted the state must understand that the people of KP are aware about the developments in the country, regarding the fate of Pashtuns in Swat.
In Swat, the people’s voice was suppressed by restricting access to social media by disrupting the internet service. Recently, a jirga was called on security of the area, but no local or mainstream media persons were allowed to cover the event, except the ISPR personnel. Such incidents germinate doubts and alienate people from the state.
Swat has been through the terrible reign of Talibanisation. This time the people of Swat are resolute – that, no peace-disrupting forces will be tolerated in Swat.