Seminar opposes Swat operation | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Seminar opposes Swat operation

LAHORE: Speakers at a seminar urged the government to avoid use of force against militancy in Swat and tribal areas and take other routes to resolve the issue.

The seminar, War on terror: effects on Pakistan and Afghanistan, was organised by the Anti-War Committee here at Chaupal, Nasser Bagh, on Monday.

Speakers included Arif Afghani, chairman of Afghan Labour Revolutionary Organisation; Ziaur Rehman, president of Naujawan Aman Tehrik, Swat, and Farooq Ahmad Khan, Labour Party, NWFP.

The speakers opposed the army action which, according to them, was damaging civilians more than militants, saying the government should strengthen trade unions, nationalise religious schools and employ their teachers as government servants.

They said Swat could have been purged of the extremists within two days.

They alleged that the security forces were making false claims of clearing certain areas of militants, adding that the extremists still could be found even in the Mangora city.

Claiming that political, community and trade leaders were murdered in target killings under a plan to devoid the people of leadership, they regretted that security forces did not come to the people’s rescue and left them at the mercy of militants, who would butcher their victims in broad daylight.
Source: Dawn
Date:7/7/2009