Army announcement: Militant’s house to serve as rehabilation centre

Decision about Sufi Mohammad’s residence receives mixed response.

SWAT: The army on Wednesday announced to convert Tehreek-e-Nifaze Shariat-e-Muhammadi chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad’s house in Swat initially into rehabilitation centre and then upgrade it to a degree college.

Colonel Amir told tribal elders in the Maidan area in Dir that a blueprint has been prepared and a building will be built in place of Sufi Muhammad’s house for rehabilitating militants, adding that boys who had abandoned their studies will be readmitted to schools.

They would also be provided jobs and vocational training, he added.

The decision was greeted with mixed reactions by the locals.

Senior editor of local daily newspaper Azadi Fazal Rabi Rahi told The Express Tribune, “I really welcome this decision in Swat. Security forces usually destroy militants’ houses. Militants have created mayhem in our peaceful land in the name of Sharia and we have suffered great financial, social and psychological losses. So, instead of freezing their assets or destroying properties, they should be used for public benefits.”

Others condemned the decision, saying that the people of Swat did not consider Maulana Sufi to be a hero and his house should not be preserved for posterity.

“Is he a hero to be given such a great honour by converting his house into a college? This is a very bad decision. The government and army should eradicate all traces of bad old days from the minds and memory of the people of Swat,” said some locals.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30^th, 2010.