By Haroon Siraj

Pakistan Army won Sofia's heart besides 180 millions of Pakistanis when it flushed out militants from Swat valley and cleared the area from Taliban. 22-year-old teenager girl of the Swat valley, Sofia, had missed her soils too much when she was among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in her own motherland. She was living in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, during IDPs period. “When I heard the news that Pak Army has declared the area ‘cleared from militants’ and the people will go back to their own towns once again. I was filled with joy and it was Eid for me," she said. This was like Eid day not only for Sofia only but for thousands of other Swatains who were also waiting for this announcement.

During the Swat operation, 3423 militants was killed, 1083 were injured, 2071 were surrendered while 193 security personnel embraced martyrdom (Shahadat) and 734 were injured. The militants, who almost ruled in Swat valley, blow up 321 schools, 42 hospitals, 665 power projects, 134 mosques, 54 bridges and 135 Km roads. The army cleared the area in a record time of three months. Afterwards the army personals didn’t sit back to relax but became busy in improving infrastructure and other development projects in the area. They started their commendable efforts for rehabilitation of IDPs in Swat and Malakand divisions. Because of their roads for general public opened who could move feely without any fear.

At the moment Pak Army is working on various development projects in different sectors including education, tourism, health, sports and road infrastructure. An amount of Rs 607 million has been released by the National Highways Authority (NHA) for maintaining roads of Malakand division in which N-95, N-45 and N-90 Besham Road are in progress. More than 4000 buildings including 3140 houses have also reconstructed.

Uplifting education sector in the area, Pak Army established Cadet College Swat with a cost of Rs 2367.32 million while mostly schools were rebuilt with the UEA-Pakistan assistance program. Besides, the Army also constructed Kabal Girls College at an expenditure of Rs 30 millions in district Swat.

Similarly, army is doing wonderful job in health sector by holding every month free medical camp in the outskirts of the valley. Thalassemia centre was established in Dir district where 400 patients per month get medical facilities in their own town. Likewise, army also donated Rs. 1.5 million to the Saidu Sharif Hospital and set up training centres in collaboration with other entities to prepare youths for employment.

In tourism sector, every year army conducts Dir Snow Festival, Malam Jabba Snow Festival, Swat Tourists Gala Kalam, Baroghal Festival Chitral, Swat Sports Gala Malakand, Swat Trade Exhibition and Symposium Mingora and Swat Open Golf Tournament. By organizing various summer activities and other festivals, Pak Army in Swat is sending out the message that the area is peaceful again and the main aim is to promote tourism once again. These festivals pull a large number of tourists across the country.

Pakistan Army has to be appreciated that it has initiated a number of projects out of its reserved resources. Provision of basic facilities, including education is in main focus. All these steps are taken for the betterment of their beloved nation and of course this would not be possible without the kind cooperation of Pakistani nation and without the help of International donors.

Another remarkable effort is imparting training and launching community police, around 2,700 personnel in all of Swat, and 2,300 in lower Swat alone while 4631 LEAs and 210 individuals in PABBI. They also undertook the repair and rehabilitation of infrastructure in Swat and Malakand, restoring bridges and building roads. And in an effort to win back the youth, they opened a new school named Sabaon “Early Morning Breeze” in the Malakand division. Many development projects are also underway in Tehsil Kabal, Devlai, Totanu Bandai, Shah Dherai and Kuza Bandai.

A special attention is given for the establishment, up-gradation and maintenance of parks, gyms, youth centres, library, and snooker club as entertainment points in the areas. “Appreciating the constructive role of army in the war against terrorism, Fazal Rehman, a senior citizen of Swat said, “Pakistan Army rendered valuable sacrifices against militancy. Our people too gave sacrifices as they trust army which saved them from the clutches of the militants who almost made them hostage for their nefarious designs.”  Mehboob Ali, an educationist of the area said, “The respect and love, of the army with the people of Swat will not be forgotten. The people of Swat played a very positive role and helped in every possible way to the army in the restoration of peace.”