MINGORA – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has reaffirmed his governmentÂ’s stance to reconstruct militancy-hit areas of Malakand Division at the earliest.
He said the extremists would be eliminated soon as they are divided now and on the run, adding that no one would be allowed to impose their own version of Islam.
He was addressing a gathering at Saidu Sharif on Monday in connection with his first ever visit to Swat after the military operation. Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Chairman Special Support Group Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad also accompanied him.
The Prime Minister said the construction work would be initiated in accordance with the wishes and expectations of the people who had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for peace and stability. He said masses all over the country had backed the offensive.
“People of Swat made the task easier for the government by abandoning their houses and shifting to peaceful areas,” he remarked.
Appreciating the people of Swat for their active and bold participation in the drive against militancy, the Prime Minister said it led to the return of peace and destabilisation of Taliban network throughout the country.
He said the government had tried its best to convince Taliban militants to remain peaceful before launching the operation, but it had been left with no option except military action when Taliban militants challenged the writ of the government and started occupying official buildings.
Prime Minister Gilani praised Afzal Lala for his bold and courageous stance against Taliban and also lauded the services of civilians, personnel of the security forces and other officials who fell prey to TalibanÂ’s brutalities and atrocities.
He said the federal government would help in reconstruction and rehabilitation activities along with solving all genuine problems of the people and not let militants to regroup in the region.
The Prime Minister also approved dual carriageway from Dargai to Mingora on the demand of participants, which was raised by some audience and later explained by provincial Minister Wajid Ali Khan. Similarly, he assured of initiating a comprehensive strategy for the development of the area.
Shahbaz Sharif, Amir Hoti, Ayub Ashari and Wajid Khan also addressed the meeting that was participated by the elders of the socio-political circles. Former federal minister and renowned nationalist leader Mohammad Afzal Khan Lala was prominent amongst the participants.
Earlier on his arrival in Swat, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti, provincial ministers Mohammad Ayub Khan Ashari and Wajid Ali Khan, and other public representatives warmly received him.
In Saidu Sharif, Prime Minister Gilani was briefed about the situation in Swat after the military operation. He was further apprised of the outcome of the military operation, the strategy for reconstructing destroyed houses and infrastructure, and rehabilitation of the affected people.
APP adds: Addressing the gathering Premier Gilani said, “No one will any longer be allowed to dishonour our women, deny education to them, make their lives miserable and create lawlessness.”
He said terrorists neither have any religion nor any conscience and the people have witness that they turned their guns towards their own people, adding the differences between the terrorist groups are widening.
He hoped peace and tranquillity would soon return to the affected areas as the government was gearing up efforts to rebuild the devastated areas.
The PM said it is vital that the new generation must be enlightened enough to differentiate between right and wrong and the real message of Islam, which is against violence and preaches tolerance.
He asked the people of Swat and Malakand to be wary of “black sheep” who misled them and created problems not only for them but also for the country.
Terming the valley as more beautiful than Switzerland, the Prime Minister vowed to revive its main tourism industry and urged the locals to come up with suggestions so as to stimulate the business activities that had been grounded to a halt.
The Prime Minister said the federal government would provide all possible financial assistance for Swat and its inhabitants, adding, the government had already allocated Rs 50 billion for rehabilitating IDPs.
He asked all the four chief ministers to nominate a minister each to represent at the flag hoisting ceremony on 14th August in Swat.
On the occasion, Gilani announced setting up of National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (Navtec) institute besides relaxing the age limit to 28 and lowering the qualification to Bachelors so as to enable the local youth get skilled training with a stipend of Rs 10,000.
Earlier, addressing the Pakistan Army personnel, Premier Gilani Minister said the militants would be eliminated soon as they were on a run now.
He said political and military leadership had decided that army would stay in Malakand Division till the complete rehabilitation of displaced persons and areaÂ’s reconstruction, as it would discourage regrouping of anti-state elements and improve the pace of development.
Paying rich tributes to the army men who laid their lives in eliminating extremists and terrorists, he said nation is proud of them.
Gilani said army had successfully completed the first phase of the mission and hoped that it would overcome the challenges of displaced personsÂ’ rehabilitation in collaboration with the local administration.
He said the government was pursuing the policy of reconciliation and consultation with all institutions. “When militants tried to damage the national sovereignty, the government, army and nation with their exemplary unity broke their back,” he said.
He said with their courage, the soldiers had revived the traditions of bravery and proved themselves as Major Aziz Bhatti, Major Tufail, Captain Sarwar and Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas.
Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani and Gen Kayani were given a comprehensive briefing by the Corps Commander and Commissioner Malakand Division on the current status of operation Rah-e-Rast and prevailing environment in the affected area.