Swat situation under control, Senate panel told

The Senate Standing Committee on Defence stressed on Friday the need for upholding the rule of law in the country, as it discussed the prevailing security situation in the Swat district in the wake of reports of resurgence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The committee, which met here with Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed in the chair, appreciated the positive role of the department of the Federal Government Educational Institutes (FDEI) in promoting national unity through education.

At the outset of the meeting, Senator Sayed warmly welcomed the new defence secretary Lt-Gen Hamooduzzaman. Sayed appreciated his services in controlling the spread of coronavirus as the coordinator of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

The committee members had a detailed discussion on the national security. There was a consensus among them that there should be no compromise on upholding the rule of law and punishing the criminal elements.

Earlier, the committee members were given a comprehensive briefing on the security situation in the wake of reports of resurgence of the TTP in Swat and attacks on civilians and security forces.

The committee was assured that the writ of the state was paramount and the law and order situation was under control. Various incidents had taken place but the culprits had been traced and arrested.

The committee was told that the role of Counter-Terror Department (CTD), police, levies and the paramilitary forces played an important role in maintaining and promoting peace as well as protecting lives of the people in Malakand.

The committee was also briefed by the FDEI director general about the functioning of the department. The committee was informed that the FDEI had 386 schools in 66 cities across Pakistan. The committee proposed the department’s budget needed to be increased.

Sayed said that the committee members represented all the provinces and political parties in the Senate. He added that the committee had always acted as a bridge between the armed forces and parliament.