Think again before you act

Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Dost Mohammad Khan on Tuesday directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government to review its decision to pull military troops out of Swat and other districts of Malakand division.

During a hearing of the case of 253 missing persons, Justice Dost said the recent violence in Upper Dir which killed Major General Sanaullah and several other military personnel was deplorable and dangerous, adding that the situation could worsen if the troops were removed and the “government needs to adopt precautionary measures at this stage”.

The PHC CJ also questioned the fate of internment centers in Malakand after the withdrawal of troops. He said the internment centers were guarded by armed forces and questioned who would provide security to the centers after the troops deployed in Swat returned to the barracks, adding that the government had not yet framed charges against the inmates of the interment centers.

In this respect, the PHC CJ directed that a board of high-ranking and responsible representatives of the federal and KP government, armed forces and advocate general be constituted for framing a strategy before pulling troops out of the Swat valley and other districts of Malakand division.

“This court must be informed about the strategy for handling the situation in Malakand division after the withdrawal of the armed forces, he said.

The proceedings were attended by high-ranking civil, military and police officers. Later, the court proceedings were adjourned till September 24.

KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan had earlier announced the withdrawal of army troops from Malakand division. However, the KP CM clarified on Monday that the troops would be withdrawn only from Shangla and Buner districts.