Protestors took to the streets of Pakistan’s Swat district on Friday in a demonstration against proposed military plans aimed at countering terrorism in the north-west region. The protest, organized by Ulasi Passon (Public Revolution) and Orkazai Peace Movement, drew thousands of individuals, including political workers, rights activists, and students, marching between Khwazakhela and Kabal. Participants were seen holding white flags and signs with messages like “We want peace” and “We hate governmented terrorism,” while also chanting slogans such as “chaos: we don’t accept it” and “bomb blasts: we don’t accept it.” For more details, refer to the full report on Jurist.
The planned military operation, named Azm-i-Istehkam, was approved in June by Pakistan’s government. The administration has stated that the initiative aims to tackle extremist violence and terrorism without displacing citizens. Despite these assurances, local residents and protestors have voiced concerns, citing past disruptions caused by similar military actions. Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif’s office reassured that this would not be a full-scale campaign, emphasizing a targeted approach. However, the Pakistani military reiterated its support for the operation as recently as July 5, indicating that the mission is geared towards both “counter terrorism and growth.” Further context can be found in a report on social media.