Swat Residents Rally Against Terrorism and Military Operations in Mingora
On September 28, a large group of people in Mingora, Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, held a rally to protest against terrorism and military operations. The rally was organized by the Swat Quami Jirga at Nishat Chowk and saw participation from political parties, transport associations, trader federations, private school associations, local communities, women from the legal profession, and students.
The protesters claimed that the terrorist activities in the region were ‘state-sponsored and artificial’ and warned that if the government did not address terrorism, the people of Swat would take ‘matters into their own hands to protect their homeland.’ They waved white flags and chanted slogans against terrorism, demanding peace and development initiatives on Pashtun soil.
Speakers at the rally criticized the deputy commissioner of Swat for issuing a terror alert the previous day and accused the district administration, police, and security agencies of being ‘complicit’ in terrorist activities. They also noted that similar ‘misguided’ actions had led to the fall of Dhaka in 1971 and called on ‘state-sponsored Taliban forces’ to stop their anti-Pakhtun actions to prevent the disintegration of the country.
The speakers further criticized the intelligence and security forces for failing to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats during their visit to the Malam Jabba region on September 21, which resulted in a terrorist attack. They claimed that this negligence had severely harmed tourism and development efforts in Swat.
One speaker highlighted the hospitality of Swat residents and lamented that the bomb blast on the convoy of foreign dignitaries was orchestrated by elements opposed to Swat’s progress. The protesters also announced that students and local teachers would begin raising awareness about ‘state-sponsored’ terrorism in the region.
The rally concluded with a unanimous resolution demanding the immediate withdrawal of security forces from the Pakistan-Austrian Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
Doubts Revealed
Swat -: Swat is a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It’s known for its beautiful valleys and mountains.
Mingora -: Mingora is the largest city in the Swat district. It’s a busy place with lots of people and shops.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a province in Pakistan. It’s located in the northwestern part of the country.
Terrorism -: Terrorism is when people use violence to scare others and achieve their goals. It’s very dangerous and hurts many people.
Military Operations -: Military operations are actions taken by a country’s army to fight enemies or protect the country. Sometimes, they happen in areas where people live.
Swat Quami Jirga -: Swat Quami Jirga is a group of community leaders in Swat. They come together to discuss and solve problems in their area.
State-sponsored -: State-sponsored means that the government is supporting or helping something. In this case, people believe the government is helping terrorists.
Pakistan-Austrian Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management -: This is a school in Swat where people learn about tourism and hotel management. It’s a place for education and training.