Army starts transfer of power in Malakand

CIVIL AUTHORITIES TO BE HANDED ADMINISTRATION AFTER DECADE-LONG PEACE EFFORTS

After a decade-long effort for restoration of peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s militancy-hit Malakand division, the Pakistan Army has transferred administrative authority to the civil administration.

The army initiated gradual transfer of power to the government on Tuesday in Lower and Upper Dir districts at a ceremony held at the Dir Scouts Fort in Balambat.

“This day is of utmost importance in the country’s history as today the army officials are handing over administration to civil authorities,” said General Officer Commanding (GOC) Malakand Division Major General Ali Amir Awan, who was the chief guest of the event.

“Ten years back, in 2008, the terrorists challenged the writ of state, in the name of Islam and began bombarding hospitals and schools in Malakand division,” Awan said. Highlighting the cooperation of residents of Dir in the elimination of militancy, he said: “The passion and patriotism of the people of Dir was matchless and a role model for the people of the rest of the country.”

Malakand Commissioner Syed Zaheer ul Islam, regional police officer Akhtar Hayat Gandapur, Dir Task Force Commandant Colonel Shehzad Amir, deputy commissioners of Lower and Upper Dir, DPOs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Finance Minister Muzafar Said, Members of National Assembly (MNAs) Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, Sahibzada Tariqullah, the region’s elders and other civil and military officers attended the ceremony.

3,500 terrorists killed

A total of 470 soldiers, including officers, lost their lives during the military operation against the anti-state elements, while 3,500 terrorists were killed and eventually militants were rooted out and the government writ has been restored, GOC said. Around 300 schools have also been rehabilitated in Malakand division, while 32 new schools were also built.

After the restoration of peace, all check-posts in Lower and Upper Dir were being handed over to police and security forces would remain present in border areas, he said. However, he said, the security forces would fully cooperate with the civil administration in maintaining peace and order.

The transfer of administration would be extended to other districts including Malakand, Swat, Buner, Shangla and Chitral.