Major General Sanaullah: Ode to a fallen Swat patron

Maj Gen Sanaullah gave his all to inspire the people recovering from war.

SWAT: Major General Sanaullah Khan Niazi brought culture back to Swat, along with freedom and hope.

After the valley and its surrounding areas won the battle against the Taliban following a Pakistan Army operation in 2009, General Sanaullah worked tirelessly to help the area and its people recover from their traumatic experience.

Since the beginning of war against militancy in Pakistan, the IED blast on Sunday marked the first martyrdom of a Major General. He had taken over as GOC Swat and Malakand Division in February 2013.

Born in 1960 in Mianwali, Punjab, he joined the Pakistan Army in 1983 as a commissioned officer. He secured war and tactical operations courses, and taught at the Army Command and Staff College, Quetta, before he was appointed to Swat.

“He was a great leader. He was fully aware of all aspects and contexts of the region,” says a Lieutenant Colonel, who worked under the GOC’s supervision. “He not only established peace in the area but promoted its culture and launched multiple development projects.”

The GOC realised the importance of development and social activities for a successful counterinsurgency programme and post-conflict rehabilitation.

Therefore, he worked for the revival of tourism in the picturesque Swat valley. He ensured that the pavement of the Kalam Road was complete before the tourist season began.

Moreover, he created and launched the Malam Jabba Snow Festival in which he invited tourists and athletes from all across the country to take part in the games. The festival also created employment for the area.

But he didn’t stop there. Tourists thronged the Swat Summer Festival, the first cultural event that took place after Swat’s battle against militancy. Maj Gen Sanullah oversaw its arrangement. Within no time, he ensured the security of more than 50,000 tourists, which also helped in the revival of the local hotel industry.

He also launched a Sports Gala for the youth in Swat. Committed to sports, he reopened the Kabal Golf Course and Swat held a national golf tournament last month featuring 200 players for the first time in 20 years.

An art exhibition also took place – for the first time in Swat’s history – in which artists from across the country participated.

He was there for the people of Swat, not just in times of peace, but also in times of looming crises. During the floods, the GCO directed all his men to ensure minimal damage.

His subordinates extol him.

“He was a kind-hearted genius,” says another colonel from Swat. He inspired all his men in the division and kept their morale high, he adds. “He and his soldiers gave their lives in the line of duty while visiting the posts along the most volatile border.”

For Afzal Khan Lala, a prominent politician from Swat, Maj Gen Sanaullah was a best friend. “He had the qualities of a great leader,” he says.

He was always concerned with the generation of employment for the people of Swat and the development of its private sector, recalls Khan. “He believed that creating jobs could reduce and gradually eliminate extreme elements from society.”

He gave his all to inspire the people recovering from war, and taught them how to live again with freedom and hope. Swat was at peace under Maj Gen Sanaullah. Now the people hope that he may rest in peace.