Swat protests

P arts of Swat are in turmoil. People are on the streets demanding peace, and expulsion of unscrupulous elements who have made inroads in their society. This is apparently an aftermath of drawbacks that are happening in neighbouring Afghanistan, wherein a feud between various non-state actors is pushing hordes of gun-trotters into Pakistan.

The point that they are amassing in the settled areas of Swat district, which is far away from western frontiers, and some of the tribal areas is a worrisome proposition. It details a rejoinder from the security apparatus who are on guard, and have laid down their lives in fighting the war on terrorism. The source of consolation, nonetheless, is that political parties across the divide are pouring out to shun militancy, and are on the same page in seeking a credible firewall of deterrence.

The flashpoint was evident as members of local peace committees were attacked last month in Kabal tehsil, which led to the killing of six including police personnel. Since then, houses and businesses are under attack from militants. Saturday’s rallies outside the CM House in Peshawar and other far-flung areas demanding a proper security protocol must be an eye-opener for militants who no more enjoy acceptability by any section of society.

Gone are the days of 2007 when a bunch of influential people were ruling the roost and had captivated the entire Swat Valley. This is, in fact, a triumph of the peace constituency, and the people deserve due credit for their sense of resilience. The simmering unrest in Swat should be taken very seriously. The civil and military authorities need to brainstorm introspectively as to where they had blinked.

While Afghanistan is slowly slipping into anarchy, its repercussions will surely be felt across the porous borders. With more than three million people languishing on Afghan borders, helpless as they face food and shelter problems, the non-state actors will try to disguise and sneak across the porous borders. Time to up the guard on frontiers and ruthlessly mop Swat of militants and their abettors.