September 20, 2025
By Arshad Jaan
SWAT
A huge gathering was held by the Swat Qaumi Jirgah at Matta Chowk, Swat, where people gathered under the slogan of “Swat Aman Pasoon”, with the city’s residents firmly standing against any militancy in the region.
The public at the gathering warned that if the provincial government and police failed to cope with terrorists hiding in the Upper Swat hills, then they would be compelled to confront them their own.
Participants carried white flags, and banners bearing the message “We Want Peace”. Even women joined the throng of thousands of people who came out on the streets, completely filling the connecting road of main Matta Chowk.
Speakers at the public gathering included MNA Dr Amjad Ali, Provincial Minister Fazal Hakim Khan, MPAs Muhammad Naeem Khan, Sultan Rom Khan, Ali Shah Khan, City Mayor Shahid Ali Khan and elders Rahmat Ali Khan, Sher Badar Khan, Bahadar Sher Afghan, Ayoub Asharey, Sher Shah Khan, and others also addressed the crowd.
No tolerance for militancy
The speakers stressed that the people of Swat are peace-loving and will not tolerate any more suffering, or the misery of displacement once again. They stated that it is the fundamental responsibility of state to protect its citizens and uphold their dignity, unfortunately a duty which has so far neglected.
The speakers expressed their concerns that Matta Tehsil and Kabal Tehsil of Swat are being targeted as militants’ activities continue to be reported in the surrounding hills yet law enforcement agencies have failed to cope with militants with meaningful actions. They urged the people of Swat to show resistance, and if they did not it could lead to dire consequences.
“This is a historical gathering which sends a message that there is no compromise,” said Khurshid Khan, one of the protesters for peace. “We just want peace for ourselves and for our next generation as this is our basic right,” he said, adding that the state must rebuild trust with its citizens because people have lost their faith in it.
Zahir Shah Khan, another protester, stated that the bees had finally come out of their hive.
“We knew that one day people would be compelled to come out of their homes, and they did,” he said. “We are very peaceful people, and we sincerely urge to the authorities to please listen to us and consider our demands,” he appealed.
Local journalists and peace activists say that this was a historical public gathering in the history of Swat, which brought together thousands of people in support of peace and protest in against militant activities in the region.
A one-month deadline was issued by the organizer to the provincial government and police to take action against militants. They warned if the authorities thwarted to respond, they would extend protest rallies not against militants but provincial government and police themselves.