By: Asem Mustafa Awan
Thousands of people have protested against a fresh wave of terrorism in the Mingora area of Swat. They demanded the arrest of school van attackers who killed the driver and injured students. Who knows better than the people of Swat how terrorism wreaks havoc on families, spreading fear at the social level and destroying jobs? The public reaction in Swat led the representatives in a joint session of Parliament to appeal for federal intervention.
The pro-government coalition members have asked the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to resign after failure in preempting the terrorism rearing its ugly head. There are many dimensions of the Swat protest, which can be considered as an example of public reaction against terrorism. The demonstration was not exclusive to a single group or political party, but people from all walks of life across the political divide participated in the protest to protect the common interest. This demonstration is proof that the institutions responsible for maintaining peace and order could not fulfill the expectations of the people.
The ghosts of the worst days in the past are starting to scare the residents of Swat Valley again. These areas remained under the grip of terrorists for a long time. The terrorist elements kept confusing the government of Pakistan by presenting various demands and meanwhile creating space for themselves. Finally, the security forces had to launch operations and the people of Swat were transferred to camps in other districts. Many people have not yet been able to recover economically. It is unacceptable for them that terrorists return for any reason. Several recent incidents show that the militants are reorganizing themselves in the hilly outskirts of valley and are quite active in their heinous designs.
In the past, when the TTP under the leadership of Mullah Fazlullah took control of Swat, Mullah Fazlullah first started inciting people to rebel against the state in fiery sermons on illegal FM frequencies in the mid-2000s. He got the attention of local people in the name of Sharia. Fed up with the dysfunctional governance and judicial system in the region, many people were seduced by the words ‘Mulla Radio’. Even women started donating their jewelry. He strongly criticized the mismanagement of the state system and institutions and captured most of the Malakand division systematically.
Large-scale operations were carried out to expel terrorists from Swat and to establish statehood in the region. At that time, Pakistan was an ally in the global war against terrorism and received defense and financial support. This time, if such a situation arises, things can be difficult to handle. The writ of government is being tested once again, this time it has to stop violent extremism at an early stage. Mullah Fazlullah was killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan in 2018, and other members of his organization have taken refuge in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, from where they are believed to have crossed into Pakistan. Reports of Taliban presence in the area have increased. Pakistan is already suffering from various problems and new problems may arise due to increased sense of insecurity among the people and state should act fast to mitigate masses sufferings.
The writer is a Special Correspondent at The Dayspring