Militancy has devastated Swat:

Swat was a paradise on earth before the conflict started in the valley. People would flock to this paradise, especially in the summers. Besides the remains of Ghandara civilization, Swat is blessed with natural beauty in abundance. It used to be a tourists’ heaven before 2006 but after that it became, or was made by design, a safe haven for terrorists and their apologists. The worst conflict in the history of Pakistan happened here which has left 1.7 million Swatis in a dismal situation, and their image around the world is of terrorists and extremists. Militancy and counter-militancy affected the valley in every sphere of life but perhaps the worst damage done, among many, was to its tourism. According to an estimate, the tourism industry was afflicted with a loss of over Rs8 billion in the last three years. During these cruel years various tourist resorts namely Kalam, Bahrain, Miyadam, Madyan, Fiza Gat, Malam Jabba and Murghzar were deserted, gloomy and lonely.

Pakistani nation’s response against fear:

After a year of military offences in Swat, Operation Raah-e-Raast, Swatis hoped for a better and bright summer in 2010. Spring came and passed by unnoticed. No tourist ventured to Swat. In the beginning this summer was no different than the previous ones. The military announced its victory over the militants many times but it seemed the Pakistanis had ceased to believe in such claims. The military also declared to have encouraged the tourists to visit their once cherished destination, however the people of Swat were a bit non-complacent, amidst the scores of check posts scattered in the valley and the frequent target killings.

But as the summer approached cities, tourists were seen in the valley especially in Bahrain and Kalam. In Bahrain a remarkable number of paying-guests have rented homes for two or three months. A similar rise in tourism is visible in Madyan too and a number of tourists from Punjab are seen visiting these towns. This has sprouted hope in people.

Pakistan Army leading the social effort from the front:

The military has by now removed many of the unwanted check posts, which were places of humiliation for the inhabitants, and is also in the mode to encourage people to visit Swat. For this purpose it holds commendable events in the valley. On June 6, the military held a music show in Bahrain where locals and students sang, danced and celebrated. The school girls also held fashion shows. A similar show is to be conducted in Miyadam on June 20. A festival is in the pipeline for the first week of July, to be held at the Swat river beach in Fiza Gat, near Mingora. A three-day grand festival will also be held in Kalam from July 6 to 8. These festivals are indeed a move in the right direction, and would encourage tourism in Swat. A tourist from Lahore told me a few days ago that Swat is now the safest place in the entire country. These are the signs of a better tomorrow despite the fact that “regaining paradise” will indeed take years.

Where is the political leadership in Swat?

Swat is reportedly back to normal and a month long peace festival is underway. But the leadership is yet to come out of their seclusion and visit the areas that have been cleared of Taliban militants so as to boost the morale of the people living there. The military has done its job to the level best and it is the job of the political and civilian administration to take control the situation and help reestablish what it once was: Pakistan’s heaven on earth.

The country's leaders have avoided visiting Swat and other such areas in the north-west, citing security concerns. It is ironic that the development projects, in the areas where the government has now established its writ, are being inaugurated from air-conditioned residences of top political leaders in Islamabad and other cities. Three elected members of the National Assembly have not yet visited their constituencies for over a year and they always cite the security reasons. “How would the people living there have the confidence to continue to fight the extremists if the country's leaders were so afraid of them,” a teacher in a government high school asked in Swat.

Civilian government is weak:

The government is too weak to handle the threat posed by the extremists and there is hardly any coherence observed in the security and development strategy for the region. Only strong governance in the area is the way to enforce rule of law and marginalize the militants. But governance is precisely the “missing commodity” from the once troubled area. If the government cannot build its stature and enforce its write, the next phase of militancy would be catastrophic and more blood would be spilled.  The civilian political government has also failed in terms of creating social ownership of the now prevailing peace in the areas and many social initiatives, including the peace process, are being managed by the Pakistan Army. The civilian law and order force has retaken the charge in policing the area but there is a strong need to strengthen and reinforce the lost momentum of gathering actionable intelligence against the terrorists.

The People are afraid of the government’s failure to take responsibility in due time, and in an efficient way. The civilian government, yet to be seen in the valley, must introduce mega rehabilitation and development projects.