SWAT – More than 53 young persons were released after completion of their reformatory courses at the Pakistan Army-run centre Sabawoon that was established for the rehabilitation of former militants. Sabawoon is the first unique facility configured for rehabilitation of juvenile former militants aging between 12 to 17 years. Sabawoon centre was established in the line with the vision of Chief of Army Staff in September 2009 with initial intake of 22 juveniles. During the operation Rah-e-Rast, many juveniles were apprehended or they had surrendered. The strength of the said juveniles had been 177, out of which 102 were released so far. Aziz Ullah, a 17-year-old, fostered under Sabawoon centre and got released one year ago in the previous batch said while speaking in the ceremony that Sabawoon was a paradise. He said the former militants ware not only provided with quality education but they were also taught about ethics, patriotism and the actual meanings of Islam. He said he got second position in Malakand Board and received a laptop from PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif as well. He said he would never forget the time he spent at the centre, as his success was owing to the exemplary hard work of Sabawoon. Speakers said on the occasion that there were a lot of facilities for the said juveniles at the centre, which were provided by Pakistan Army, adding that Hum Pakistani Foundation, a Lahore-based NGO also played a remarkable role in this regard. They said the basic needs of life were provided to the juveniles, who got fully nourished in a healthy environment. They said Pakistan Army and the Sabawoon School staffers worked hard to teach juveniles how to become a well mannered and a true patriotic citizen. On Saturday, the last ceremony of this institution was held at Malakand, wherein 53 juveniles, who completed their 18-month course, were released and handed over to their parents in a formal ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Brig Tariq, Minister for Finance, KPK, Humayoon Khan, Spokesperson of Pakistan Army Malakand division Col Arif Mehmood, DCO Malakand and Commissioner Malakand division Dr Fakhr-e-Alam and many other army officials with elders of the area were present on the occasion.Humayoon said “today I feel extremely obliged to come here to Sabawoon where the juveniles were being fostered by a quality education system and they were changed into a better citizen.” He congratulated the staff of the school and said that hope the juveniles would play a healthy & vital role in the society where they would be examined as a role model for the coming generations. Later on, the minister granted Rs 7 lakh for the betterment of the institution.