Swat over newly won liberation

People of Swat celebrated their liberation from militancy with patriotic fervour on Thursday on the eve of the Independence Day.

Men, women and children in festive mood thronged the main bazaars of Mingora and other towns in the valley with youths waving national flags and raising Pakistan Zindabad slogan.

Slogans of ‘Pakistan Fouj Zindabad’ and ‘Taliban Murdabad’ were also raised whenever people came across a convoy or passed through army posts.

A large number of women also took part in the celebrations on Thursday evening. People were seen distributing national flags and greeting each other.

Major buildings in Mingora were brightly illuminated and shops and markets tastefully decorated.

People here are celebrating a national festival for the first time after two years of violence and militancy had turned the valley into a virtual hell.

The administration has relaxed curfew from 6am to 11pm to allow people to give vent to their joy and feeling of relief.

MNA Muzaffar Malak, MPAs Jaffar Shah, Haider Ali, Waqar Khan, Ayoub Asharay and Sher Shah have arrived in Mingora to take part in celebrations on Friday.

A 50-member team of journalists from electronic and print media has been invited to attend the special programmes to be held at Wadoodia Hall in Saidu Sharif, including skits and tableaux to be presented by children. A military band will also perform on the occasion.