SWAT (SYED SHAHABUDDIN): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Fazal Hakim Khan Yousafzai, addressed the provincial assembly and demanded a full inquiry into the recent Swat anti-encroachment operation in Tehsil Babuzai, particularly at Mingora Bypass, Fizaghat, and Sangota.
The minister assured that citizens’ concerns, especially those of hotel owners, would receive priority. He highlighted the case of a hotel owner who held press conferences, claiming the administration demolished his property despite valid documents such as registry, maps, and revenue records. “The hotel has stood for 30 years, yet he alleges injustice. Authorities must investigate such grievances fairly,” Yousafzai said.
He stressed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government ensures justice for all, regardless of political affiliation. “If wrongdoing occurred, whether against a PML-N supporter or a PTI supporter, the government will correct it. The inquiry should start with the PML-N hotel owner’s case. If the district administration acted unfairly, it must provide compensation,” he added.
The minister explained that during the Swat anti-encroachment operation, he directed the Commissioner of Malakand Division and the Deputy Commissioner Swat to meet hotel owners, consult the committee, and resolve matters through dialogue. Instead, the administration chose to use heavy machinery and demolished the hotels.
He criticized PML-N leader Ikhtiyar Wali for claiming that the Chief Minister and ministers ordered demolitions. “I challenge him: if he proves his claim true, I will quit politics. Otherwise, he should resign. No one can exploit this issue for political gain,” Yousafzai declared.
The minister reiterated that PTI’s vision follows justice and equality inspired by the model of the State of Madinah. He underlined that the people of Swat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa sacrificed for peace and remain its true guardians. “No one has the right to disturb law and order in this region,” he said, urging the Speaker of the KP Assembly to form a powerful committee to review the matter fairly.
