By Essa Khankhel
Briefing media persons, In-Charge of Inter Services Public Relations in Swat Lt Col Akhtar said the government and Pakistan Army were working on a reconstruction plan in the battered Swat valley. After securing full peace in the valley, he claimed, the reconstruction work had been launched. He said the federal and provincial governments would provide
billions of rupees for 1,200 projects.
The projects, he said, were being launched to restore the infrastructure in the valley that was badly damaged during militancy that continued for over two years. All the projects related to reconstruction of the valley would be completed under the direct supervision of army, he added.
The military official said that a total of 401 schools had been destroyed in the seven districts of Malakand division and the government had prepared a plan to rebuild 211 schools next year.
The militants used the destruction of educational institutions, particularly of girls’ schools, in Swat as war tactic against the security forces. They also ruthlessly damaged other infrastructure in the valley.
Col Akhtar said the army would rebuild the damaged hostel of the state-run college in Mingora and 15 schools with a cost of Rs31 million, adding that another Rs15 million would be spent on the construction of a double-lane bridge at Kanju. This bridge would replace the damaged Ayub Bridge, which would be demolished.
A temporary bridge would be built till completion of the new one. He said Rs2 millions have been earmarked for the reconstruction of all destroyed mosques from the chief of army staff fund.
About the ongoing housing survey in Swat, the military official said damage-assessment of 400 houses had been completed while the rest of destroyed houses were being visited. The government launched a damage-assessment drive in the valley on Nov 5 that would continue till Nov 25. During the campaign, data about the destroyed houses is being collected to fix a compensation amount for the owners.
Col Akhtar said housing survey would be followed by another survey for collecting data about destroyed shops, offices and martyred people. Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Investigation) Fazl Wahid Khan said government writ had been restored in Swat and police officials were discharging their duties. He said 3,725 officials were among 6,725 Special Police Force personnel recently appointed in the division. Apart from Swat, 800 in Buner, 600 in Dir Upper, 800 in Dir Lower and 800 in Shangla were also appointed in SPF. He said that 3,000 police officials would be appointed in police force across the division. The DSP said all 22 police stations and 60 police posts had been made effectively functional. He said that they had made a demand for 25 platoons for the division in which nine in Swat, nine in Buner, six in Shangla and one in Dir Lower would be deployed.
APP adds: The operational commander of Swat, Maj Gen Asfaque Nadeem said Wednesday that 100 per cent area of Swat was under the control of security forces and all entry and exit points have been closed so that militants could not escape from the picturesque valley.
Talking to a group of senior journalists here, he said that operation in Swat had been made successful due to the extended cooperation of the people.The security forces are conducting search operation in some areas of Swat on information about presence of unwanted elements, he added.
Gen Asfaque said the situation in Mingora and other parts of the district is normal and under the control of security forces. On the occasion, he announced to organise Skiing championship in December at Malam Jabba with an objective to promote tourism besides restoring the confidence of tourists to visit this scenic valley.