K & P

Locals ordered to guard villages at night

Anybody in Swat who fails to act upon order will be considered a Talib and strict action will be taken against them.

Fazal Khaliq November 16, 2010

SWAT: Security forces have pasted hand-written posters and pamphlets on to the walls in different areas of Kabal tehsil ordering at least one person from each house to perform the duty of guarding their local villages from 8 pm till Fajr prayers, and anybody who fails to act upon the order will be considered as a Talib and strict action will be taken against them.

It has also been said in the posters that local people will be held responsible if any mishap occurs during the night.

“Security forces will take serious and strict action against the concerned community guards in this regard,” it says.

Local people have also been directed that everyone must display their security pass when stepping out of their homes.

The new notice by security forces has left some locals in tension, especially those who are the only male members of their house. Those who work during the day to earn a livelihood for their family are in a difficult position as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (11)

bangash | 13 years ago | Reply This is ridiculous. Its the army's job to protect the citizens 24/7. If the army cannot do the job then it should eat less resources of the state.

Sher | 13 years ago | Reply This is totally unfair with Swati people,,,

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Zulfiqar | 13 years ago | Reply @Mr Saad Durrani this is never an assistance to be asked to threat and warn local innoncent people first war affected then flood stricken, majority of those are very poor who work the whole day and how come they perform the duty of the army, the army should go out of the district and then the local will guard then.

Bushra Hassan | 13 years ago | Reply I think this is great. Communities must take a stand and not depend on security forces who should not stay there for too long anyway. I belibe this is a pretty good initiative... although I do wonder why its hand written like this... lacks credibility

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply In 1971 and 1965 people were voluntered, they were not threatened with dire consequences. This is an arbitrary rule that can easily me manipulated. How exactly will they establish who is performing their duties or not? Which age group needs to perform these duties? Have they been provided any training or offered any weapons to defend themselves if they have been asked to assist the security forces? And what are these people going to do about their day jobs and family responsibilities? As citizens of Pakistan people shouldnt have to choose between their livliehood, family and safety when a proffesional military force is present in the valley, and if not then they face dire consequences!

Usman | 13 years ago | Reply The best army in the world is at it again. Their list of achievements is endless. Where do we start? Starting and then humiliatingly losing four wars with India? The Bangladeshi genocide that we find no mention of in our history books? 1-3 million civilians killed and women raped by the army of the pure. The same thing is happening in FATA now. and the end to all this wont be pretty.

Saad Durrani | 13 years ago | Reply @Syed Nadir El-Edroos, et al. The best army in the world indeed wants to protect the people but their resources are stretched. The threat (though it makes half sense) is basically telling "Either you are with us or against us" which is how it does in the North. I guess it would be hard but the army has asked for civilian assistance in the past especially in the wars of 1965 and 1971. If they do it now, there is nothing new about it. as it is "war-like" situation, the army can ask for assistance.

Husyn | 13 years ago | Reply Men at their best!

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply What? Now its the responsibility of the people of Swat to protect themselves? Community policing in one thing, but the threat of consequences for not acting on the "orders"? And this is what the call a victory of terrorists when they globe trot around the world.

Zulfiqar | 13 years ago | Reply The best army of the world. pak army lol

Gulalai | 13 years ago | Reply hahaha and the security forces should sleep well, SECURITY FORCES, it means rather the affected people of Swat should gurad the security forces then, Well done Pak-Army

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