MINGORA: Former federal minister and veteran leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) Muhammad Afzal Khan Lala has said that lashkars would be raised at village level in Swat to provide security to the people against militants and miscreants and maintain peace in the district.

Talking to The News by phone on Sunday, the Pakhtun nationalist leader said the positive results of the ongoing military operation Rah-e-Raast has restored the people’s confidence and now it was the joint responsibility of civil administration and masses to play their due role in controlling the situation.

“The security forces performed their duty with utmost devotion and dedication during the recent Swat operation, but now it is turn of police and people to follow the suit,” he said. He urged the government to open all the routes so that the displaced people could return to their hometowns without any fear and hurdles.

“Though some militant leaders are alive, they will soon be eliminated in the operation. The lashkar of armed volunteers will support the endeavours of security forces to bring lasting peace to the violence-hit valley,” Afzal Khan Lala said.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=192294