Swat jirga urges govt to take action against drugs peddling

MINGORA: The elders of the Qaami Taroon Jirga, Babuzai chapter, on Sunday urged the government and district administration to take strict action against the menace of drugs peddling and restore a lasting peace in the region.

Held at the Swat Press Club, a large number of elders of Swat Qaumi Jirga, religious scholars, traders, political leaders and civil society representatives participated in the gathering.

Former provincial minister Wajid Ali Khan, Muhammad Amin, Irfan Chattan, Ishaq Zahid, Irshad Ali Khan, Iqbal Hussain Balay, Abdul Rahim, City Mayor Shahid Ali Khan, Dr. Khalid Mahmood, Zahid Khan, Qawi Khan, Ismat Ali, Syed Naeem, Akhtar Ali Khan, Ahmad Shah, Abdul Karim, Malik Akram Khan, Swat Press Club president Niaz Ahmad Khan and other leaders addressed the jirga.

The speakers expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of drugs and obscenity and demanded that the police and administration must take immediate and strict action against drug dealers and the networks involved in this dangerous business.

In the declaration issued at the end of the jirga, it was stated that every possible effort will continue for the establishment of peace, social harmony, and the moral and intellectual guidance of the young generation.

The declaration emphasised that the protection of Islamic values, regional culture, and traditions was essential for collective survival, and for this purpose, religious scholars, parents, teachers, media and social organisations must play an active role.

The declaration strongly condemned the spread of crystal meth (ice) and the networks promoting obscenity under the cover of transgender performers and demanded strict action by the government against them.

The jirga also demanded the establishment of treatment and rehabilitation centres for drug addicts and impartial judicial action against any police or administrative officials found involved in this illegal business.

The jirga expressed concern over recent student protests and the privatisation of educational institutions and demanded that the decision to privatise Saidu Teaching Hospital under the MTI system be withdrawn.

The declaration also stressed the need for immediate rehabilitation and financial assistance for flood victims, while terming the anti-encroachment operation in Mingora as poorly planned.

The jirga appealed to the government, district administration, civil society, and media to seriously implement the recommendations presented in the declaration so that peace and justice can be established in society and the younger generation can be protected from the menace of drug addiction and militancy.