A representative body of local residents, Swat Qaumi Jirga, has expressed its resolve to protect the ‘hard-earned peace in Swat at all costs’ and announced the struggle against terrorism, saying that the people would not accept terrorists or terrorism in their land under any circumstances.

The Grand Jirga was held at Wadudia Hall Saidu Sharif in which regional leaders of Malakand division, local officials of all political parties, organizations, and leaders of Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Malakand, Buner, and Shangla participated.

According to a statement issued in this regard, the Jirga has decided that the people of Swat and Malakand Division will not accept any form of terrorism and will stand by the law enforcement agencies to defeat the designs of anti-state elements for peace.

It demanded that a fact-finding commission should be formed to investigate the recent incidents of terrorism in the division.

The statement said that it was the responsibility of the state institutions to ensure peace and stability there. “The spokespersons of the provincial government should not act as the spokesperson of the terrorist groups,” it added.

Following the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announcement to formally end the ceasefire agreement struck with the federal government this year, special assistant to the chief minister on information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif said the federal government shouldn’t stop holding talks with the banned TTP and needs to move forward with the same agenda but with some comprehensive approach to end the violence.

After the announcement, the TTP’s violent campaign against the state has been picking up pace. The banned outfit ordered its militants to carry out attacks “wherever and whenever they can”.

The Jirga welcomed the Swat Motorway Phase II but blamed that their fertile lands had been selected for its construction and it was just a waste of precious resources.

The Jirga demanded of the government to construct Motorway Phase II on the bank of River Swat and spare the fertile lands.

The Jirga demanded the restoration of provincial administrative tribal area (PATA) status for Malakand Division, saying that if any attempt was made to impose any tax, the action would be vigorously resisted and that the responsibility of which would lie on the government.

The Jirga demanded the provincial government not to forcefully take lands from the people for setting up new tourist areas. “If the government feels the need they should get these lands on lease from the owners for investors.”

The participants of the jirga strongly condemned the threats and attacks on the homes of members of the Provincial Assembly, Sardar Hussain Babak and Faisal Zeb. The Jirga also demanded the immediate dismissal of government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif for advocating dialogue with the banned TTP.