The more things change, the more they remain constant. The people of Swat staged a massive rally, demanding an end to the recent spate of violence in the valley, with a sense of foreboding. Terrorist organizations are once again targeting Swat Valley, as they did before the operation began. We’ve come a long way from being a terrorist hotspot under TTP rule to a peaceful Swat with no militancy. However, as a result of the government’s blind eye and political priorities, Swat is once again becoming a hotspot of unrest and instability.
TTP’s minor activities in the region have been highlighted by recent terror incidents in Swat and surrounding areas. We must also remember that intelligence reports show a direct link between TTP leadership in Afghanistan and these terror attacks in Pakistan. Although there is no sign of any organized terrorist group on the ground, the recent terror activities have raised many questions about the KP government’s priorities and competence.
There is no way that the larger situation can be resolved without the political government, both federal and provincial, being in the driving seat of monitoring and, if not designing, then at least signing off on the design, of the anti-militancy policy.
Current Swat Situation Depicts the Incompetency of Government:
The deteriorating security situation in KPK, particularly in Swat, demonstrates that the KP government is incapable of handling the situation following a military operation. The KP government appears to have other important political priorities than containing the province’s security situation.
The PTI has been in power in KP for 9 years; its founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has argued for the Taliban to be given an office in the province; what are the PTI and its Chief Minister doing now that the Taliban have returned to Swat? It is the civilian government’s responsibility to provide security and protection within the province.
On the other hand, since people saw selfies and photos of PTI provincial government “Jirga” participants with TTP leaders in Kabul hotels, the common man of Pakhtunkhwa and especially Swat are presenting a conspiracy theory that the People have been purposefully recalled by our establishment, while the security forces are not taking action against the TTP-PTI army and PTM against the “.
Whereas the rest of the then-ruling PTI had chosen to ignore these cautioning’s, it was, ironically, Swat’s very own Murad Saeed, who had vociferously attacked Dawar for spreading lies and misinformation against the security agencies. Staying quiet on the emerging storm in his home constituency because of political expediency is one thing; rubbishing anyone who does speak out, however, isn’t quite forgivable.
It should also be noted that KPK Chief Minister Mehmood Khan has not visited the areas affected by recent terror attacks. To deal with the situation, the KP government should use its police and Counter Terrorism Department to sabotage and arrest TTP militants who have infiltrated the Afghan side in one way or another.
On the other hand, the KPK government’s political priorities appear to be above the province’s flood situation. Even during the height of the flash floods, the KP government was preoccupied with facilitating PTI jalsas and political campaigns rather than providing relief to flood victims through its provincial machinery.
