Owning peace in Swat

SWAT: Formation of village defence committees to curtail target killings and maintenance of peace as foremost priority were amongst the resolutions passed at the meeting of Nepki Khel Aman Jirga, the largest peace council, working with security forces, for restoring peace and order in Tehsil Kabal of the Swat valley.

“It is imperative to eliminate the first command of the militants for complete eradication of extremism from Swat,” said Sher Afzal Khan Kaptan, president of the jirga. “The extremists killed a lot of innocent people in the name of Islam and Sharia, but with the sacrifices of the army and people of Swat, peace prevails once again,” he added.

Saifullah Khan, a member of the jirga, emphasised on honouring and owning peace. He highlighted the “gathering of the entire Nepki Khel nation on one platform” as a proof of the unity of the local population in their fight against extremism.

The jirga called for the government and security forces to capture the absconding militants soon, grant exemplary punishments to target killers, compensate the victims of the military operation and the floods readily.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2010.