SHANGLA: The residents of Shangla district staged a massive protest on Friday, blocking the vital Bisham-Swat Road in Alpuri, to condemn the recent surge in terrorist attacks that have claimed lives and disrupted peace in the region.
The protest, organized under the leadership of the Shangla Action Committee and the district bar association, culminated in a “peace rally” that saw participation from community leaders, political representatives, and civil society members. The demonstrators carried banners, waved white flags symbolizing peace, and chanted slogans against terrorism and for security.
Rising Threats to Peace
The protest was spurred by a recent attack on a police check post in Gunangar Chakesar, where two police officers were killed, and three others sustained injuries. This incident is part of an alarming trend of escalating terrorist activities in Shangla, causing widespread fear among residents.
Addressing the rally, bar association president and Shangla Action Committee chairman Waqif Shah criticized state agencies for their inability to safeguard public life and property. He declared that the people of Shangla would no longer tolerate the unchecked killing of police personnel and called for urgent and effective measures to eliminate terrorism.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Prominent community leaders and speakers, including Mutawakil Khan, Faiz Mohammad, Abbas Khan, Sultan Rome, and trade unionist Mohammadzada, expressed deep concerns about the deteriorating security situation.
Faiz Mohammad condemned law enforcement’s failure to prevent the infiltration of terrorists into the district, questioning how militants could operate so freely. “While the world protests for development and empowerment, we are forced to rally for the basic right to life,” he lamented.
Trade union president Mohammadzada highlighted the strategic importance of Shangla, noting its proximity to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He warned that terrorist activities in the region not only threatened local livelihoods but also posed a risk to national economic projects and tourism, which rely on the region’s connectivity via the Karakoram Highway.
Elder Abbas Khan echoed the growing sense of insecurity, urging local youth to stand united against the rising tide of violence. Sultan Rome criticized the federal and provincial governments for their indifference to the situation, accusing them of neglecting the district while lives were lost to terrorism.
Call for Accountability and Action
Chairman Waqif Shah further criticized the political leadership from Shangla for their conspicuous absence from the rally, despite holding influential positions. He announced plans to convene a jirga on December 23 to address the district’s security crisis. The jirga will invite key political figures, including PML-N leader Amir Muqam, opposition leader in the provincial assembly Ibadullah Khan, PTI MPA Abdul Munim, and PML-N MPA Mohammad Rashad Khan, to deliberate on actionable solutions.
Shah warned that if the government failed to take swift and decisive steps to restore peace, residents would escalate their protests, potentially staging strikes and further demonstrations.
Broader Implications
The protests reflect a growing frustration among the people of Shangla, who see the rising terrorist attacks as not just a local issue but a threat to national stability. The recent attack near the Karakoram Highway—a lifeline for trade and tourism—has heightened concerns over the broader implications for economic and social well-being.
The rally underscores the urgent need for enhanced coordination between state agencies and local communities to counter terrorism effectively. As the jirga convenes, all eyes will be on whether the political and security leadership can address the grievances of Shangla’s residents and ensure a return to peace and normalcy.
