Thousands protest against lawlessness in Swat

Thousands of local residents of Swat staged a protest demonstration against the increasing lawlessness, extortion cases and targeted attacks in the district in Barikot on Friday.

Pakthun Tehafuz Movement (PTM) head Manzoor Pashteen, Qumi Watan Party’s (QWP) Sikandar Sherpao and Mushtaq Ahmad addressed the participants.

Local residents, traders, political workers, students and civil society attended the protest.

Addressing the protest, politicians accused the provincial government of backing militants, saying that because of the inaction of the government lawlessness was on the rise in the province without inviting any attention.

“Each passing day is creating lawlessness in the province and it is the responsibility of the state to address it. The special advisor claimed that militants have vacated their positions and left but it is not correct. Armed bands are still present in Swat. But the local residents will not tolerate these things anymore,” they said.