A grand jirga of the Malakand division met at the Swat Police Training Centre on Saturday to pay tribute to martyrs and discuss regional security challenges. During the gathering, the participants unanimously proposed that the police force be equipped with modern gadgets and the latest security equipment.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON, Engineer Amir Muqam, attended the event as the chief guest. He described the jirga as a positive step toward promoting stability and enhancing police capacity. Muqam stated that the people of the Malakand Division had made unprecedented sacrifices for the restoration of law and order, noting that the people, Pakistan Army, police and other security institutions had jointly written an unforgettable chapter of sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
Muqam emphasized that lasting peace is a collective responsibility requiring public cooperation and state support. He praised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfiqar Hameed, and Regional Police Officer Swat, Zahid Nawaz Khan Marwat, for bringing various schools of thought together. He proposed expanding this model of public engagement to other districts and tehsils in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The minister highlighted the severe hardships faced by the people of Swat due to terrorism and displacement, stating they had sacrificed their loved ones, abandoned their homes and extended full support to security institutions for restoring peace in the country. He also noted the Army's role in providing relief during the 2005 earthquake and floods.
Regarding economic issues, Muqam said the federal government has been informed of the taxation-related difficulties in the merged districts and Malakand division. He claimed to have consistently raised these issues before the prime minister and the federal cabinet, calling for collective efforts to reduce the burden of unnecessary taxes on ordinary citizens.
On infrastructure, Muqam reported that progress has been made on land acquisition and compensation for the Swat Motorway, but noted that practical work on the relevant agreement needed to begin. He also expressed hope for an Rs18 billion development project supported by the Korea Export-Import Bank and urged authorities to ensure its timely completion.






