Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Residents of 13 villages in Kabal tehsil have pledged to resist any government attempt to seize their land for the proposed cantonment extension. The decision was reached during a jirga held on Sunday, attended by hundreds, including local representatives such as MPA Sultan-i-Rom, Sher Shah Khan, Sultan Ali Khan, Riaz Ahmad, Sultanat Khan, Zahid Khan, Imran Khan, and Rashid Ahmad Swati.
Organized by the local social organization Sama Laar, the jirga gathered community members who expressed strong opposition to further land acquisition. The villagers pointed out that previous projects, including the Swat Expressway, airport, and bypass, had already claimed significant portions of their land. Many fear that more residential and agricultural areas will be taken if the cantonment expands, severely impacting local livelihoods.
Elders recalled that approximately 6,000 kanals of land were taken years ago for the cantonment under Section 4, with compensation rates far below market value—Rs250 per square foot for residential land, compared to the current market price of Rs1,700. Commercial land, which could fetch Rs25,000 per square foot, was similarly undervalued, leaving many residents feeling that their property was forcefully acquired.
“We depend on this land for our survival, and we will not surrender it. If the government insists, we are ready to sacrifice our lives to protect our homes and fields,” villagers declared. They cited the risk of displacement for over 45,000 residents, emphasizing they do not wish to become “refugees in their own land.”
The jirga concluded with a unified stance: any attempt by the government to forcibly evict residents would be met with unwavering resistance. Residents from impacted villages, including Ningolai, Bara Bandai, and Kanju, underscored their determination to defend their homes and heritage at all costs.
