"They (the security forces) will be called off gradually in phases.” PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
“The decision to withdraw the Pakistan Army from Swat has been taken," Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shaukat Ali Yousafzai announced at a press conference at the Officers Mess in Peshawar on Friday.
The PTI stalwart, who is reportedly all set to assume the responsibility of K-P information minister in a few days, dilated that forces will be gradually withdrawn from the scenic valley. “They (the security forces) will be called off gradually in phases.”
Yousafzai said the gradual withdrawal of security forces from Swat will be accompanied by a simultaneous strengthening and disciplining of the civil administration. He explained that if security forces were removed suddenly, it would create several issues for the civil administration to deal with.
Pakistan army troops had been ordered into the valley in 2009 by the then democratic government after militants had attempted to take over.
The Deputy Parliamentary Leader also revealed that PTI-led provincial government will convene a ‘consultative jirga’, in which leaders from all political parties would take part. "The purpose of the jirga is to agree upon a solution to the issues faced by the province. The provincial government, in turn, will act on what is agreed."
The government has struggled to eliminate militancy from the once peaceful valley. Last year in October, militants managed to shoot teenage peace and education activist Malala Yousufzai, and her two friends in Swat.
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Amazing discussion, one thing is clear that everyone is worried for Pakistani citizen. What is pukhtoon culture and their ways of life they only knows themselves. Despite army should be withdrawn or not depends on the people living there what they want it is not about anything center, province, mullahs, shariah, army or what so ever. As a part of that society I know what we need and thus we also knows what was this whole drama about and what consequences we face in our daily life before or after what ever observers observe or discuss we are facing the music. What we want is the area of malakand should be leaved to the situation what was it before army or militants.
@Peter: You are right, but for the US
@Ammad Ali:
It is the function of the police force to maintain law and order and maintain security in partnership with the communities and the support of population. Police reforms are needed to structure it as a national force anf not a colonial structured foreign element in a society.
Rex Minor
Hamid Mir asked some one about Taliban in this scenic valley, the person replied "Taliban are from pakistan army If in army uniform and are from taliban if faces coverd"
No need for army in SWAT. Let the local adminsitration and KPK govt deal with security situation. this will strengthen the administrative authorities and strenghthen pakistan too.
Good plan. This needs to be done. I am certain the barbarians will take over again but that is OK. They want the barbarians, give them the barbarians! They will never learn.
Good Decision. The army should be withdrawn not only from Swat but also lower Dir and Upper Dir. The presence of hundreds of checkposts and night raids of the army has made life miserable for the people of Malakand Division. There is reign of terror in all parts of Malakand. The withdrawal of army will reduce this terror.
''Having arm is a tribal tradition thats why they should be allowed to possess it and for that sake law should be amended.''
What an advise . ?!!!!
@Prof. Shahid Mobeen:
your comment shows that Pakistan army could not even defend a minor girl in Swat! What do you require army presence for, to save the chicken farms.
Rex Minor
@Rex Minor
It's not a war between Pashto people and Punjabis.. It's a war between Jinnah's Pakistan and crazed mullahs, but thanks a lot for painting an ethnic picture of the whole issue. If it wasn't for Pakistan army, you tribes people were no match for the Taliban. Pakistan army actually saved you people from their draconian laws, which they wrongly call shariah.
What is "consultative Jirga" as opposed to 'Argumentative jirga"? Hope whatever this process is called works for the sake of people.
sending or withdrawing army is always centre's decision, why is he trying to to take credit..... its just childish
You can't defeat Taliban by creating space for them where they will re-group once again. You must station Army and park its hardware somewhere near Swat so that the next time they are somewhere near to strike back when they are needed.
We cannot put everthing on Army's shoulders. The civilian governmnet have to take resposibilty. It's time they take it. Good move
@Enlighte The only barbarians in that part of the world are the British and the Americans.
@ Raees Ahmad
I dont understand why a stop in bloodshed bothers you
I dont understand why a stop in bloodshed bothers you
Dear Asher, I think no one with a sane mind would kill anybody and in this case a minor girl who promotes education for women in the northern part of Pakistan.
Violence againsta citizens has no place in democracy, says the German chancellor Merkel to Turkey Prime Minister Erdogan. Musharaf was a military dictator of Pakistan, is rsponsible for the violence in swat and the autonomous tribal territory and with his non Pashto speaking army intrusions is reponsible for the army casualties as well..Not even Emperor Aurangzeb overpower the Yousaf Zais, they fight among themselves but unite as one against the enemy. The USA has 2nd amendment which allows the citiyens arms to defend themselves< The Pashtuns arm for self protection in line with their traditions, and not for violence against others. .
Rex Minor
Taliban have entered in Chief Minister Houses in Khyber Pakhtunkha, Punjab and in Prime Minister House. Every place is THEIR. You will see a halt in their attacks.
@ashar: i believe it and so do many educated people i know.
@ Farhan.. Swat was not always run by military. At some time politicians have to take the responsibility for governance instead of leaving it over to the military all the time.
@ Enlightened .. Swat is more peaceful then Karachi nowadays. Its about time civilians take over from military.
@Prof. Shahid Mobeen: Do you still believe on Malala story? Strange! It is a wise decision, and the army spared from swat should be sent to Lyari for real operation of criminals.
Unilateral effort for peace never yield the desired result .
TAALI DONO HATH SE BAJATEE HAI !!
Wait and see the result of the move .
Let's hope sanity will prevail among those who are having illeagal arms in hand and having no respect for law of the land .
Now is our chance Paktoons lets take wagah border.
The process for surrendering to the barbarians has begun. May God/Allah save the people of the Valley.
Looks like Nawaz Sharif has started showing it's jaadoo. This probably be a part of the peace talks with the Taliban. Credit also goes to Imran Khan.
PTI seems to be very confident that it can reach consensus with the militants. The withdrawal of the army from Swat may put a lot of people at risk when militants re-assert themselves.
Let's see how this plays out
What about this area of Pakistan where a minor girl, Malala, was shot while the military was around...