This image captures a vast sea of protesters from across Swat who gathered in overwhelming numbers at Nishat Chowk, Mingora, in Swat . As I observed, some speakers showered praises on politicians who had contributed nothing to the restoration of peace. Some of these politicians once enjoyed security and patronage during the operation , while ordinary citizens lived in fear and suffered daily at numerous check posts set up by security forces. These security posts manned around- the- clock , meant to promise peace , it rather eroded trust and respect of ordinary citizens, who were across- the – board suspected as terrorists , frisked and humiliated on daily basis , as opposed to the terrorists for which it was meant . The people believed that with the arrival of security forces, peace would return to their lives, but that hope remains elusive.
One individual whom the people give credit for ending their miseries remains the defiant Manzoor Pashteen despite being labeled anti – state and foreign sponsored, yet his fearless public voice resonates with emotions of ordinary citizens . Unlike local politicians who did little, it was Pashteen who raised his voice that led to the removal of these security check posts across the entire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , which had long outlived their purpose and caused untold hardship to the public. Even though the military operation to flush out terrorists ended, the people continued to suffer, left to fend for themselves, still waiting for the peace they were promised but never received. That unfulfilled promise is what drives them to the streets today across the entire length and breath of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa .
The recent attack on the police was carried out by local criminals from upper Swat with no ties established to link them to any terrorist organization. Despite this, a local landlord cum politician and former Provincial Minister with ties to a nationalist party is being given undue attention for showing up at the scene. But the reality is clear: it is not individuals but the collective voice of the people rising up, fed up with the endless insecurity.
The state must wake up from its slumber. This roaring ocean of protesters carries a clear message: they demand peace, something the government has failed to deliver. It is high time capable and committed civil servants are appointed to Swat with a clear mandate—to restore peace and win back the lost trust of the people while the security establishment advised to focus on effective management of border security leaving the inland security and political matters to the civilian leadership . It is high time the flawed security plan is reviewed and the shortcomings rectified in lines with the public aspirations that the ongoing unrest amongst the general public could be addressed. Long live Pakistan.🇵🇰
