SWAT, OCT 11: Protesters demanding the arrest of culprits behind the recent attack on a school van in Swat’s Charbagh tehsil and the restoration of peace in the region warned on Tuesday of marching to Islamabad if authorities failed to meet their demands within 24 hours.

The attack on Monday, which left the van driver dead and two students injured, was the latest in a series of incidents of violence that have gripped the valley in recent days, prompting citizens to take to the streets against the rising tide of insurgency.

According to Rescue 1122 officials, the van was taking students to a school in Gulibagh area of the Charbagh tehsil when unidentified assailants, riding on a motorcycle, had opened fire. The driver was killed on the spot, while two students were moved to the hospital after sustaining injuries.

Locals have blamed the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan for the attack, but the group has denied responsibility. Any other organisation has also not claimed responsibility so far.

Meanwhile, protests that erupted following the incident on Monday continued for the second consecutive day today.

A sit-in was staged on the main Kalam-Swat road, with protesters refusing to bury the school van’s driver until their demands were met.

Consequently, the artery remained blocked for traffic.

Abdul Hamid, a resident of Swat who was participating in the sit-in, said, “We spent the entire night under the open sky, continuing the protest.” He reiterated the call for taking the perpetrators of the attack to task and ensuring peace in the region.

Protesters told that the district administration held talks with them but no conclusion was reached.

“The government is not taking the issue seriously,” complained Haider Ali, a social activist who was among the protesters at the Kalam-Swat road. “The AC (assistant commissioner) and SP (superintendent of police) both came for talks, but we think neither of them have any power.”

Ali said that at the very least the Malakand commissioner needed to visit the protesters and assure them of the fulfilment of their demands.

“We have now given 24 hours to the government to meet our demands or else, we will march to Islamabad,” he warned.

He also outlined the protesters’ demands, saying that the van driver’s killers should be arrested and perpetrators unmasked while the government should take measures to control the “growing militant activities” in the district.

While the sit-in continued, private schools in several parts of Swat remained closed in an expression of protest.

The Private School Management Asso­cia­tion (PSMA) had announced that they would keep schools in the district closed on Tuesday and participate in a civil society protest at Nishat Chowk.

According to PSMA Executive Secretary Nisar Ahmed, around 1,200 schools remained closed in Swat on Tuesday.

It was also reported that students and teachers walked out of classes, calling for peace in the region.

“People are angry,” school principal Ahmad Shah told on Monday, when 2,000 teachers and students walked out of classes in protest. “Students from all the private schools came out to protest,” he added.

Monday’s incident has brought back memories of the attack on Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on October 9, 2012, who survived a gun attack by the TTP gunmen nearly a decade ago.

Her father, Ziauddin, condemned Monday’s incident, calling it “tragic and alarming” on Twitter.

JHELUM, OCT 10 /DNA/ – General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) attended closing ceremony of the 42nd Pakistan Army Rifle Association (PARA) Central Meet at Jhelum Garrison as Chief Guest. The mega shooting event was conducted at Army Marksmanship Unit from 22 August to 10 October 2022. Over 2000 firers from Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces (CAFs) including Rangers(Sind, Punjab), Frontier Corps and GB Scouts as well as civilians participated in the competition that comprised numerous events involving different ranges and types of weapons.

Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu ,Chief of Air Staff (CAF) was present as a Guest of Honour who gave away the prizes . In Inter Formation Competition, Mangla Corps came first followed by Bahawalpur Corps. In Civil Armed Forces(CAF) category, trophy was won by Punjab Rangers while Gilgit Baltistan Scouts were received runners up trophy. In Inter Services Matches, Pakistan Army won three out of four contests including COAS, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Matches, while Pak Navy won CISM Match. Pak Navy remained runners up in COAS and CNS Matches while PAF came second in CAS Match.

Pakistan Army won Shotgun, Long Range and Small Bore Trophies in Open National Matches. Pakistan Navy won the Prime Minister ‘Skills at Arms’ Big Bore National Challenge Match while Pakistan Army secured second position.

The Biggest Military Shooting Honour ‘The Master at Arms’ Trophy along with Gold Medal of ‘National Rifle Association of United Kingdom(UK)’ was awarded to Lance Naik Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of 112 Wing Gilgit Baltistan Scouts. The President’s Cup National Challenge Match Trophy was awarded to Maj Ahmad Jehanzeb of Army Marksmanship Unit. The Prime Minister ‘Skills at Arms’ Small Bore National Challenge Match was won by Pakistan Army. The ‘Best Shot Match Trophy’ was awarded to Lance Naik Allah Ditta of 165 Field Regiment Artillery.

Two new National Records were also made during the National Level matches.

Major General Ahsan Gulrez, Director General Military Training (DGMT) participated and made a new PARA National Record by scoring 150/ 150 points with 8 shots Bull Hit in finals of 800 Yds Rifle Match whereas Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Ali Zulfiqar made New National Qualification Record by scoring 150/ 150 points with 12 shots Bull Hit in 800 Yards Rifle Match.

11 participants and faculty members of First Sniper course of Pakistan Army Sniper School (PASS) were also awarded prizes and Sniper insignias.

While interacting with participants, COAS appreciated the firers for their excellent standards of marksmanship. Terming shooting skill as hallmark of a professional soldier, COAS said attaining proficiency at shooting must remain at the heart of basic military training objectives.

Later, COAS visited Jari Kas Cantt, near Mirpur AJ& K. COAS inaugurated APS Jari Kas and interacted with students. COAS also addressed officers and men at Jari Kas Cantt.=DNA

===========

KARACHI: MQM-P’s Kamran Tessori was sworn in as Sindh’s 34th governor Monday after President Arif Alvi approved his appointment under Article 101 (1) of the Constitution.

Sindh High Court Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh administered the oath to Tesori at the Governor’s House, with the province’s leadership in attendance.

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, MQM-P leaders Waseem Akhtar, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, and representatives of the business community attended the ceremony.

Speaking after the ceremony, Tesori said that he would try to fulfil the duties that he has been entrusted with.

“I will work in harmony with everyone to fulfil my obligations. With regards to the problems of the province, I will raise my voice at every relevant forum,” he added.

The office of Governor Sindh was lying vacant after the resignation of former governor Imran Ismail who stepped down from the post after Imran Khan’s ouster from the PM Office in April.

Islamabad, OCT 10 /DNA/ – Capt. (Retd) Muhammad Usman, Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Chairman CDA assured that he would expedite the post-fire  structure stability report of the Centaurus Mall and move master to finalize its matters. He also allowed the Centaurus management to arrange the cleaning of the mall besides allowing owners to collect their possessions from the mall. He said this while talking to a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) that called on him led by its President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari. Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan former President ICCI and CEO Centaurus Mall, Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi former President ICCI and Ch. Naseer Ahmed senior member ICCI were in the delegation.

Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI and Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan former President ICCI and CEO Centaurus briefed Capt. (Retd) Muhammad Usman, Chief Commissioner ICT and Chairman CDA about the fire incident in the mall and thanked him for monitoring the rescue and firefighting operations in his presence. They also thanked Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza Corps Commander 10 Corps Rawalpindi, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Rescue 1122 and Fire Brigade for their active role in bringing the fire under control due to which the Centaurus Mall was saved from serious damages. They assured that ICCI and the Centaurus Mall Management would fully cooperate with the ICT Administration in completing the technical report and restoring the mall back to its normal operations.  Sardar Yasir Ilyas informed the Chief Commissioner ICT that the mall is perfectly fine and fire did not penetrate the structure of the tower due to which the structure is sound & safe. He requested that the tenants and residents may be allowed to reside in Tower-B. He said that each component of the complex is independent, therefore, the entire complex may not be sealed. He said that they would provide full support to the CDA and the Administration for inspection of the mall. He said that the complex may be de-sealed and the residents may not be asked to leave as it will create problems for them.