Thousands protest against terror in Swat
Activists and supporters of different political parties and local residents gather to take part in a demonstration against militancy following a blast targeting diplomatic convoy, in Mingora city, in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on September 27, 2024. PHOTO: AFP
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Swat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), on Friday following a roadside bomb attack on a convoy of foreign diplomats, which killed a police officer in their security detail. The protest, organised by Swat Qaumi Jirga, drew participants from various political, social, and religious circles, including lawyers, civil society, and different schools of thought.
Prominent figures, including Mukhtiar Yousafzai, Haji Zahid Khan, Ayub Khan, Khurshid Kakaji, Provincial Minister Fazal Hakim Khan Yousafzai, ANP District President Sher Shah Khan, JUI's Maulana Hijatullah, Jamaat-e-Islami's Muhammad Amin, Dr Khalid Mehmood Khalid, and City Mayor Shahid Ali Khan, addressed the gathering.
The speakers alleged that an orchestrated conspiracy was being hatched to spread chaos and terrorism in Swat, maintaining that artificial terrorism had been initiated in the region, as evident from the frequent unfortunate incidents occurring every other day.
They said that they will identify the masterminds and facilitators of these planned conspiracies and make it clear that this is 2024, not 2009, and the people cannot be fooled again, nor will they let the plans of conspirators succeed.
They added that the administration had issued a threat alert to postpone the gathering, but despite this, people attended without fearing for their lives. The speakers expressed gratitude to the people of Swat for proving that they are peace-loving and willing to make any sacrifice for peace.
The speakers also paid tribute to ANP member Ayub Khan, saying he had set an example by standing alongside police and fighting against terrorists.
Ayub Khan, in his address, asked that if security agencies are present in the area and terrorist incidents still occur, the forces must admit that their writ is no longer effective anymore.