Army hands over administrative powers to civil authorities in Dir

The military was called in Malakand division in 2007 when the TTP challenged the writ of the government

LOWER DIR: Following eradication of terrorism and restoration of peace in Dir after 10 years, Pak Army has handed over the administrative powers to the civil authorities.

"This day is of utmost importance in the country's history as today the army officials are handing over administration to civil authorities," General Commanding Officer Major General Ali Amir Awaan said while addressing a ceremony in connection with the transition.

The event was organised at Dir Scouts camp Blambat to announce the hand-over of check-posts to police officials.

"10 years back, in 2008, the terrorists, challenging the writ of state, in the name of Islam and began bombarding hospitals and schools in Malakand division."

Maj Gen Awaan recalled that people were being kidnapped and terrorists established their reign. To restore the write of the government, army, Levies and police began operation in Malakand.

He further said that 470 Army soldiers embraced martyrdom during the operation while 3,500 terrorists were killed.



Army, with the assistance of area locals, not only reinstated exemplary peace in Malakand but also reopened the 300 affected schools, reopened 32 new schools, trained Levies and police officials and enhanced their capacity, provided vocational training to women in order to empower them, and is are imparting education to 6,000 students at Army Public School.

The speakers said that developmental projects costing 19 billion are underway in Malakand. The locals, they added, are peaceful and patriotic, they helped army and civil administration in restoration of peace. They also said the police force is apt and able enough to overcome any kind of circumstances.

Commander Dir task-force Colonel Shehzad Ameer, Commissioner Malakand Syed Zaheerul Islam Shah, DIG Malakand Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, Deputy commissioners of upper and lower Dir, DPOs, provincial finance minister Muzaffar Syed, MNA Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Sahibzada Tariqullah, locals, army and civil authorities and mayors participated in the event in huge numbers.

The military had launched Operation Rah-e-Haq after it was called in by the ruling Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) in Malakand division in 2007 the when the Taliban faction of Swat lead by Mulla Fazlullah challenged the writ of the government. In 2009, another full-fledged military operation was Rahe-e-Nijat was also launched in the area to battle the militancy.

Translation by Laila Raza