SWAT (by SYED SHAHABUDDIN): The Swat tourism crackdown has triggered strong protests from former District Naib Nazim and PML-N leader Malik Siddique Ahmad. He condemned the demolition of his hotel and other properties, accusing ADC Swat and administrative officials of bias. Consequently, he demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.
At an emergency press conference in Sangota, he appeared with his son, Village Council Chairman Malik Naseer Ahmad, and Ajmal Khan. Malik Siddique argued that if Commissioner Malakand Division had ordered an anti-encroachment drive, it should have been enforced across all of Swat. However, targeting only his hotel and personal assets, he claimed, showed clear discrimination.
He further stated that such actions routinely surface at the start of Swat’s tourist season. According to him, these moves aim to weaken local businesses and damage tourism. Moreover, he estimated his financial loss at over Rs 900 million and demanded full compensation. Otherwise, he warned, he would take legal action.
Meanwhile, Malik Siddique criticized elected representatives for staying silent. He said eight provincial and three national assembly members failed to intervene. As a result, their inaction contributed to the damage to public and private properties.
Several hotel owners, local government officials, and political leaders attended the press conference. They supported Malik Siddique’s stance and called the operation biased. In contrast, many expressed concern over growing unrest in the business community.
He warned that if authorities did not compensate the losses, he and the Hotel Association would launch a protest movement. They would even march to Islamabad, he said.
Finally, Malik Siddique urged the administration to stop one-sided actions. Instead of disrupting businesses, he said, the government should promote tourism and support the local economy. He held both the administration and elected representatives responsible for the fallout caused by the Swat tourism crackdown.
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